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Chelsea's Benitez urges Shakhtar to push for Juventus win

Chelsea boss Rafael Benitez is doing everything he can to keep his side's Champions League chances alive.

The reigning European champions face a tough task of reaching the Round of 16 when they meet Danish club Nordsjaelland at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night as they require Group E leaders Shakhtar Donetsk to defeat Juventus in Ukraine.

It has been suggested that Shakhtar may simply play for a draw as they are already through to the next phase - a result which would end Chelsea's hopes - but Benitez believes that they may want to try a bit harder than that as the world will be watching.

"We know that a draw would be bad for us but the positive thing is that Shakhtar has a lot of good players and everybody is talking about them, so they have to show the rest of the world that they are really good players," said the Spaniard who has endured a tough start to life in Southwest London.

"When you know the top sides in Europe or in the world are watching you then you have to perform.

"Obviously, Juve will go for the win but Shakhtar will need to show this level that they have.

"They (Shakhtar) might finish second (if they lose) and have to play against one of the top sides in Europe and it will be more difficult, so I think they will try to win."

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Andrew Slevison
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