Chelsea headline English trio in Europa quarters

PARIS (AFP) –

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech was in fine form during the FA Cup quarter-final against Manchester United on April 1, 2013. Chelsea will resume their quest to become the first British side to win all three major European club competitions when they host Russian hopefuls Rubin Kazan in their Europa League quarter-final first-leg tie on Thursday.

Chelsea will resume their quest to become the first British side to win all three major European club competitions when they host Russian hopefuls Rubin Kazan in their Europa League quarter-final first-leg tie on Thursday.

Last season’s Champions League triumph left the west Londoners with just Europa League honours missing from the club’s trophy cabinet, having already lifted the now-defunct Cup Winners’ Cup on two occasions — 1970/71 and 1997/98.

Chelsea’s interim manager Rafael Benitez during a press conference on April 3, 2013, the eve of the UEFA Europa League clash against Rubin Kazan. Chelsea will resume their quest to become the first British side to win all three major European club competitions when they host the Russian hopefuls.

Despite a forgettable Premier League campaign, Rafael Benitez’s maligned tenure at Stamford Bridge still has the Blues in the hunt for both domestic and European silverware after Chelsea despatched rivals Manchester United on Monday to progress to the last four of the FA Cup.

Chelsea will likely be without defensive duo Ashley Cole (hamstring) and Gary Cahill (knee) for both legs of the clash.

However goalkeeper Petr Cech, who helped preserve the Blues’ 1-0 victory over United, insists the defending European champions will enter the fixture in a positive frame of mind.

“It’s always important to beat big teams for the confidence. We are not having such a fantastic season in terms of the league, but (the win over United) shows we can still beat the top teams and it gives us confidence to play another game on Thursday,” he said.

In Rubin, Chelsea face a side that has already eliminated holders Atletico Madrid and one that is unbeaten in five European away games.

Tottenham’s Gareth Bale during training on April 3, 2013, the eve of the Europa League quarter-final against FC Basel. The Welsh star missed Spurs’ 4-1 defeat at Inter Milan that saw the north Londoners limp through on away goals.

Benitez’s charges though boast an imposing home record on the continental stage with an 11-game unbeaten streak of their own. They also own a perfect record against Russian opposition with four wins from as many matches.

Of the eight teams left in the competition, Tottenham are the only club to have previously lifted the trophy (1971/72 and 1983/84).

Spurs host Swiss pacesetters Basel in the first leg, a pairing that ostensibly favours Andre Villas-Boas’ men.

“I think hopefully going past Basel would mean a lot to the club — being present in a European semi-final.

“We dream of winning trophies so our focus on the Europa League won’t shift,” said Villas-Boas.

Tottenham will welcome back Gareth Bale from suspension after the Welsh star missed Spurs’ 4-1 defeat at Inter Milan that saw the north Londoners limp through on away goals.

Lazio coach Vladimir Petkovic gestures to his players during a training session on April 3, 2013, the eve of the Europa League game at Fenerbahce. Lazio are the only team unbeaten in this year’s competition.

Basel have never defeated an English side on their travels, but Manchester United’s untimely Champions League exit at the hands of the Swiss outfit last season should serve as a warning not to underestimate them.

Meanwhile Newcastle, the third English team left in the tournament, face Portuguese high-flyers Benfica in Lisbon.

Manager Alan Pardew claimed his team’s European adventure has come at a cost to Newcastle’s league performances but stressed his approach wouldn’t change even with the club’s top-flight status still not assured for next season.

“It has cost us points and without a shadow of a doubt we would not be in this position if we were not in the Europa League.

“However, we are and we’ve approached the Europa League every time to try and win the game.

“You can fault us for that, but we think that’s the right approach and we will carry that forward into Thursday,” Pardew told The Journal.

Portuguese table-toppers Benfica are unbeaten in the league this season, while their 13-match unbeaten home run in the Europa League dates back to the advent of the rebranded competition.

Lazio — the only team unbeaten in this year’s competition — travel to Fenerbahce in Thursday’s other quarter-final.

Quarter-final fixtures (kick-off 1905GMT):

Chelsea (ENG) v Rubin Kazan (RUS)

Tottenham (ENG) v Basel (SUI)

Benfica (POR) v Newcastle (ENG)

Fenerbahce (TUR) v Lazio (ITA)