However unfairly at times, many fans, and especially those of bigger clubs, have a bit of a flippant attitude towards the Europa League and its place as a continental competition. Many view it as a worthless trophy for also-rans, and more have suggested that it should be scrapped completely in favor of an expanded Champions League.
Thankfully for Chelsea fans, the club hardly dared to view the competition as a nuisance as Harry Redknapp did while at Tottenham (evidenced by his squad selections). Rather, despite the obvious disappointment of being dumped out of the Champions League after the group stage and being denied the chance to defend their Champions League title, Chelsea pushed on, took the Europa League and its collection of good opponents very seriously, and were ultimately rewarded with a second successive European trophy at the end of a second successive tumultuous season.
That Chelsea became the first club to wins Europe's two competitions in consecutive years is nothing short of remarkable, but perhaps there is more for us to marvel at in the aftermath of their late, dramatic victory over Benfica in Amsterdam.
For Chelsea, it would have certainly been easy to bow out at their first Europa League hurdle against Sparta Prague, but the resolve they demonstrated in just getting by their Czech opponents was a trait that certain came to define their march to Amsterdam. Let's be honest here: many of Chelsea's performances in the competition were far from textbook and often very nervy for all involved, especially as they only just avoided disaster against Rubin Kazan in Russia. However, and especially against very good competition in Europe, those last ditch results are the ones that have to be gotten, and perhaps even more so when you are Chelsea and have a figurative target on your back as one of the biggest clubs in Europe. Chelsea weren't perfect, but the grit they displayed in Europe was admirable and maybe had everything to do with their recent addition to the trophy case.
Furthermore, their European exploits offered a fantastic distraction from the inconsistent league form that saw them ultimately fall well adrift of Manchester United in the end. As we often see in cups, the departure from the league and the need to get vital points can be very liberating to almost any team--especially one that would have otherwise had domestic championship aspirations at the beginning of the season before the dismissal of Roberto Di Matteo. Maybe this phenomenon was best embodied by Fernando Torres himself. While his own league form mirrored that of Chelsea at times, he was absolutely torrid in the Europa League and scored some breath-taking highlight reel goals on the way to Amsterdam. It was only right that he would once again be in amongst the goals in the final.
It is no secret to anybody that Chelsea is as blessed with attacking talent as one could ever hope for (independent of the club signing Messi or Ronaldo), and whoever takes over as manager, whether Mourinho or otherwise, will have a squad at his disposal that will be rightfully expected to challenge for top honors next season. With the extra wind in their sails from yet another successful European adventure, one would have to believe that Chelsea will be chomping at the bit to start yet another campaign in August. That just might spell trouble for opponents at home and abroad.
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