PARIS: If Chelsea are to repair a trophy from their difficult campaign, they'll have to succeed where their London competitors Tottenham Hotspur have previously failed and beat Switzerlandas FC Basel in their Europa League semi-final link. The 2 sides meet at the St. Jakob-Park in Thursdayas first leg, with Chelsea wary of the threat posed by Spurs that were eliminated by a side on penalties in the quarter-finals. After beginning the growing season as European winners, Chelsea never even wanted to take this opposition, nevertheless now the focus is on-going entirely and training a trophy they have never gained before. The need to take action is created a lot more acute by their new FA Cup semi-final reduction to Manchester City. aThe competition is helping the staff a lot, since it is giving us a lot of pleasure a' not like in the Premier League this year, and we lost the semi-final of the FA Cup, so we were also close,a Fernando Torres, who might begin the game on the counter if interim manager Rafael Benitez again chooses to turn his team, told UEFA.com. FC Baselas Markus Steinhoefer (D) and Mohamed Elneny (Dhge) are made within a Europa League match But the Europa League is thinking it may be a good season.a and keeping us in a good mood No English club has won this competition a' which was re-branded from its conventional subject of the UEFA Cup last year a since Liverpool in 2001, although Middlesbrough and Fulham have both been runners-up since. But if Chelsea are to create it to the ultimate in Amsterdam on May 15, they need to have the better of opponents who, as well as sending Zenit St Petersburg and Tottenham packing from Europe this season, also won at home to Manchester United and Bayern Munich in last seasonas Champions League. Basel have lost only once in 21 competitive activities since the beginning of December a' and that was a finally insignificant 1-0 reduction absent to Zenit. Murat Yakinas side are three points clear of Grasshopper at the top of the Swiss table with ten games left to play, and the coach is relishing the tie. aChelsea are the best team left in your competition, but there is no reason to feel upset or afraid with this draw,a he said recently. The pull eliminated Yakin, the former Swiss international of Turkish descent, from coming up against one of his former clubs in Fenerbahce, with the Turks attracted to face Benfica as an alternative. Like Basel, the Istanbul club are appearing in their first European semi-final, and will need to make the most of their house advantage in the first leg against Benfica, who are unbeaten in their domestic category all time and beat Newcastle United within the last few ten. To Fener midfielder Emre Belozoglu, Benfica were athe most difficult part we're able to have been coupled with.a Portugalas biggest club are desperate to get their practical a European trophy again, more than 50 years after Eusebioas team won back-to-back European Cups. Shock are developing and improving,a said sporting manager Rui Costa after the semi-final draw was made. Shock are happy to be here but we want more: our purpose would be to achieve the final. aBenfica haven't participated in a European final for many years and we think the wait might be planning to end.a Europa League semi-final first-leg fittings on Thursday: (kick-offs 1905 GMT) At Basel, Europe Hamilton Academical Basel (SUI) v Chelsea (ENG) At Istanbul, Turkey Fenerbahce (TUR) v Benfica (POR)
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