Europa League draw: Busy Chelsea face Russian roulette
Saturday 16 March 2013
Related articles
-
Europa League: William Gallas calls for ruling bodies to act on racism
-
Barcelona v PSG: Doubts remain over the fitness of Lionel Messi
-
Following Pep Guardiola's decision to manage Bayern Munich... Who now for Chelsea?
-
Europa League draw: Chelsea, Tottenham and Newcastle avoid each other in quarter-final draw
Chelsea have been left facing a potential fixture pile-up of five games in two weeks following the Europa League draw that will include a flight back from Russia two days before a possible FA Cup semi-final.
If Rafael Benitez’s side beat Manchester United in their FA Cup quarter-final replay at Stamford Bridge in two weeks’ time, they will face the fixture list the interim manager had feared. Chelsea were drawn at home to Rubin Kazan in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final on 4 April. They then face Sunderland in the Premier League, again at Stamford Bridge, before the return game in the Europa League which is scheduled to take place in Kazan, in the Republic of Tatarstan, 450 miles from Moscow, on 11 April. However, there is still uncertainty over the fixture and if the weather is too cold, it will be played in Moscow.
From either Kazan or Moscow, if Chelsea see off Manchester United, they would have to fly back for an FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City at Wembley on Sunday 14 April.
That is the scenario facing Benitez, who must also try and appease owner Roman Abramovich’s desire to finish in the top four in the Premier League and secure Champions League football next season.
Chelsea did, at least, avoid the other two remaining English sides in the final eight of the Europa League. Tottenham face Basle at White Hart Lane in the first leg of their quarter-final with Newcastle travelling to Portuguese league leaders Benfica.
“It’s a really glamorous tie,” said the Newcastle manager, Alan Pardew. “They’re top of their league and I’ve been to their stadium, with the eagle circling the pitch, it’s fantastic. I can’t wait. They’re actually a team I’ve always loved so I’m really looking forward to going.
“Can we win it? Yes, I think all the Premier League teams have a great chance. Chelsea have focused on it, Spurs have focused on it and so have we. In the past it has got in the way of our domestic programme, but not any more.”
The Champions League draw, devoid of any English clubs at this stage for the first time since 1996, saw Paris Saint-Germain draw Barcelona. Malaga will face Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid host Galatasaray. Last year’s beaten finalists Bayern Munich take on Juventus and chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said: “Statistically we have not had good experiences with Juventus. It will be difficult and we will need to have two good days against them to reach the semis.”
Quarter-finals draw details
* Champions League
Bayern Munich v Juventus Paris Saint-Germain v Barcelona [Tues 2 & Wed 10 April]
Malaga v Borussia Dortmund Real Madrid v Galatasaray [Wed 3 & Tues 9 April]
* Europa League
Benfica v Newcastle United
Chelsea v Rubin Kazan
Fenerbahce v Lazio
Tottenham v Basle [First legs: Thursday 4 April, Second legs: Thursday 11 April]
Latest in Sport
Sport blogs
iBet: Look To The Lady In The Prince Of Wales
The Prince of Wales Stakes today is regarded by many as the No1 race of the Royal Ascot meeting and ...
by Gareth Purnell
19 June 2013 02:01 AM
iBet: Favourites have a good record in the Coventry stakes
Today’s St James Palace looks a cracker and there has been sustained money for Dawn Approach since t...
by Gareth Purnell
18 June 2013 02:01 AM
Newcastle don’t need a football director – they need a new medical team after finishing bottom of the injury league
Newcastle United have shocked their fans by appointing Joe Kinnear as director of football but new f...
by Alex Miller
17 June 2013 04:39 PM
-
ACT Brumbies v British and Irish Lions - player ratings
-
Premier League fixture list unveiled: David Moyes and Jose Mourinho on an early collision course
-
Liverpool expected to complete deal for £6m Spanish winger Luis Alberto in next 48 hours
-
In pictures: Royal Ascot 2013 - Opening day
-
Exclusive: Cristiano Ronaldo advised to stay at Real Madrid for further 18 months before making possible switch to Manchester United
- 1 Serena Williams apologises after comment that rape victim 'shouldn't have put herself in that position'
- 2 Disability campaigners celebrate 'victory' after government rethink over plans to make it more difficult to claim disability benefits
- 3 Bankers could face jail after report urges the Government to introduce new criminal offence for reckless management
- 4 Breaking the Silence: In the reality of occupation, there are no Palestinian civilians – only potential terrorists
- 5 We never knew Nigella Lawson - and we still don’t
How will you make today delicious?
Tell us how you plan to make today delicious and you could win a £50 M&S gift card.
Win a Nook® Simple Touch eReader
Find out how Nook® is supporting the Evening Standard's Get Reading campaign - and your chance to win one.
Free reading festival for families
Follow The Standard's campaign to get London's children reading - and experience this unique event at Trafalgar Square on 13 July.
Enter the latest Independent competitions
Win anything from gadgets to five-star holidays on our competitions and offers page.
Business videos from commercial thought leaders
Watch the best in the business world give their insights into the world of business.
First night: The Cripple of Inishmaan
Scandi-geeks descend on Nordicana for fan-convention
Female aristocrats battle to inherit the title



Comments