Source: PA
Benayoun: We're playing to save our season
Yossi Benayoun has admitted Chelsea's season will be over if they crash out of the Champions League at Manchester United on Tuesday night.
But the Israel midfielder also claimed completing an historic comeback at Old Trafford would inspire the Blues to go all the way to Wembley. Chelsea must overturn Wednesday night's 1-0 quarter-final first-leg defeat to keep alive their last remaining realistic hope of silverware this season.
History is against them, with United never having lost a European tie after winning the first leg away from home. On top of that, only two teams have ever won a Champions League tie having lost the first leg at home.
With Chelsea 11 points behind United in the Barclays Premier League - but five clear of fifth-placed Tottenham - Benayoun acknowledged their entire campaign rested on Tuesday`s match.
"Everyone knows - the manager, the players - that we are playing to save our season," he said. "It's most likely from here we will finish in the top three or four and be in the Champions League next season. That's almost done.
"The only thing left is to try to win a trophy and the only trophy we can win is the Champions League. We have to do our best and give everything. If we win this game, it will change everything. I'm sure that, if we beat United, we will go to the end and win the trophy. It is our final on Tuesday."
