Rafa Benitez is convinced Chelsea are improving under his stewardship.

They face Sparta Prague tonight as they look to reach the last 16 of the Europa League, with Chelsea leading 1-0 from the first leg in what is Benitez's 25th match at the helm.

"My job is to prepare for the next game," the Spaniard said.

"We've played so many games in just three months and 25 games so think a bit about that. We haven't been able to train like we'd like to.

"We are still improving a lot of things but you also have to win games. As soon as you lose or draw, everything changes.

"But the team is working very hard, the staff are working very hard and I think we're going in the right direction."