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Rafael Benitez: 'Europa League is important'

Benitez: 'Europa League is important'
© PA Photos
Rafael Benitez says that winning the Europa League is important to Chelsea.

Chelsea interim manager Rafael Benitez has insisted that winning a trophy is important to the club ahead of their Europa League semi-final return leg on Thursday.

The Blues lead Basel 2-1 from Switzerland heading into the second leg of the tie at Stamford Bridge.

However, Benitez is wary of the Swiss outfit's attacking threat that saw them score twice home and away against Tottenham Hotspur in the previous round.

"Winning a trophy is important to everyone. We are not in the final yet and we are playing against a tough team," Benitez told Sky Sports News.

"Basel will come trying to score, they did it against Spurs and I am sure they will have the same approach. They need to score.

"We have a good team and we are so close to the final we have to be concentrated. I have a lot of confidence in my players."

Chelsea won the FA Cup and Champions League last season.

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Fenerbahce's Dirk Kuyt in action on March 14, 2013
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Tuesday, July 9
 
8pm
Semi-Finals
Spain
vs.
France
Wednesday, July 10
 
8pm
Sunday, July 14
Tables header RHS

Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Germany Germany32107
Q Switzerland Switzerland31205
3 Hungary Hungary31023
4 Scotland flag Scotland30121

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Spain Spain33009
Q Italy Italy31114
3 Croatia Croatia30212
4 Albania national flag Albania30121

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
Q England flag England31205
Q Denmark Denmark30303
Q Slovenia Slovenia30303
4 Serbia Serbia30212

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Austria Austria32016
Q France France31205
Q Netherlands Netherlands31114
4 Poland Poland30121

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Romania Romania31114
Q Belgium Belgium31114
Q Slovakia Slovakia31114
4 Ukraine Ukraine31114

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Portugal Portugal32016
Q Turkey Turkey32016
Q Georgia Georgia31114
4 Czech Republic Czech Republic30121


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