Football: Chelsea target Europa semis

PARIS: Chelsea can take a step closer to becoming only the fourth side to win all three of Uefa’s major club competitions by cementing a place in the Europa League semi-finals when they travel to Rubin Kazan today.

Only Juventus, Ajax and Bayern Munich can count Champions League, Cup Winners’ Cup and Uefa Cup triumphs among their list of honours, but Chelsea are well-positioned to add their name to that elite group as they head to Russia with a 3-1 advantage from the first-leg at Stamford Bridge.

“We have established a good lead,” said Brazilian midfielder Ramires. “It was important to get the victory and score three goals.”

Published in The Express Tribune, April 11^th, 2013.