Chelsea stars give clear Champions League verdict as Blues' task becomes obvious

Marc Cucurella gave Chelsea’s hopes a huge boost - and insisted they deserve to be back on Europe’s top stage. hero Cucurella to push the Blues up to fourth and also put their fate back in their own hands.

Blues boss Enzo Maresca knows that a victory at on the final day will book their place in next season’s . Cucurella said: “I am very happy. I think the team deserves this moment. We know that we needed to stay in the game.

“It was very important. We have been working for these moments. We have two more games left - we need to push hard. We need to finish the season strong.”

Chelsea captain added: “I think that's where the club belongs, in the Champions League. Competing in the best competitions.

“People like to write us off and call us inexperienced. We played against a very experienced United team today. We were there and we won the game. We got what we needed to do.”

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It was a night of nerves but another setback for who have now gone eight games without a win in the . It was hardly good preparation for their final showdown with in Bilbao next Wednesday when the winners will get a Champions League spot.

But United boss Ruben Amorim, who fielded a near full strength line-up, did at least report that none of his players suffered injuries. Amorim said: “You never like when you lose the game. We were competitive, that was clear.

"We have to prepare for each competition, with five days, we can rest. We have five days to prepare [for the Europa League final], two days to fully recover and then two days to prepare.

“In the end I looked at all the players and I think they are ok. Of course, we are excited to be in the final. Since day one the pressure has been there but I live quite well with the pressure. When you have the final of any cup, we show up so we are prepared for that.”

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