MIKEL: THIS IS OUR TROPHY

MIKEL: THIS IS OUR TROPHY

Posted: May 02, 2013

Super Eagles midfielder,Mikel Obi is confident Chelsea will qualify for the final of the Europa League tonight,almost one year after playing in the finals of the UEFA champions League.

The English Premier League outfit beat FC Basel of Switzerland 2-1 in the semi-final first leg and are now poised to reach their first-ever Europa League final in front of their home fans at the Stamford Bridge. A win or draw in tonight's game will ensure that and Mikel is sure that will be the case at the end of 90 minutes.

The winners of this tie will clash with the winners of the other semi-final between Fenerbache and Benfica with Fenerbache having the edge after they won the first clash 1-0 at home.

"We are at an advantage to reach the final having won the first leg. Victory is what we aim for on Thursday, but we will approach the game with all seriousness," Mikel was quoted as saying by mtnfootball.

Mikel will also back his London club to finish within the top four in the EPL and thus qualify for the more prestigious Champions League next season.

Chelsea are currently third on the EPL table with 65 points from 34 games and have a game in hand.

"It has been a tough season. We can still achieve our aim of getting a trophy and secure a place in the Champions League. Again we are in pole position for this and we will strive hard to achieve it," assured Mikel.    Meanwhile,Rafa Benitez insists he will field a very strong team in tonight's Europa League game against Basel not minding the possibility of having as many as four key players missing the final on account of that.

Benitez has Ashley Cole suspended, with a further four one booking away from missing the final. They are David Luiz, Ramires, Ryan Bertrand and John Mikel Obi.

'The main thing is to win and qualify for the final. We will try to do it with the best team possible for this game,' Benitez confirmed. 'It doesn't matter about the yellow cards.’ -------------------- Complete Sports