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Europa League final could be fourth time lucky for Chelsea

Chelsea have been beaten in three cup finals this season but get the chance to atone for that in the Europa League final on May 15.

The Blues are into the decider of Europe's second tier club competition where they will meet Benfica in Amsterdam following their 5-2 aggregate semi-final triumph over Swiss champions FC Basel.

After losing the Club World Cup final, Community Shield and Super Cup caretaker boss Rafael Benitez is hoping for fourth-time lucky with the Blues this campaign.

"We have one more opportunity to win a big title," he told ITV. "We have lost three finals this season.

"I am really pleased for them and everyone here. I think we have had a good atmosphere in the side. The players are working hard.

"To be fair we had two clear chances first half and we failed to take them. They then score and we had to react. Credit to the players in the second half. They were on top of them and we scored three goals. We controlled the game.

"At half-time we agreed about that. We showed the concentration and mentality at the start of the half. We killed off the game. We have to think of that for the future."

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Andrew Slevison
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