Alonso, Azpilicueta ‘feeling good’ ahead of Europa League final

One more game remains for Chelsea before the curtain falls on the season, as we take on Arsenal in the Europa League final, on May 29, in Baku.

Unlike the Gunners, Chelsea have already qualified for the Champions League next season, which would make it even more enjoyable if we were to collect this trophy as well — and especially after missing out on the League Cup in a penalty shootout to treble-winners Manchester City.

Injuries to Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Callum Hudson-Odoi, whose roles were increasingly important by the week, not to mention defensive rock Antonio Rüdiger, will not make Chelsea’s task any easier, but we have a little bit of time to ensure the rest of the squad is properly rested, recovered, and refocused.

“We have a couple of days to rest now but of course we will be with our head in the game so there will be a little bit of light training and then in two days we are back to full training to be ready for the final.

“A final for a European title, it is massive for us and we will try to prepare 120 per cent and try to bring the trophy back to London.”

-Marcos Alonso; source: Chelsea FC

Alonso may not be locked on to start what would be his first ever European final, as he’s been losing playing time to Emerson in the second half of the season, but whoever does start, will have their work cut out for them to ensure Chelsea don’t suffer yet another defeat like the last two times we faced Arsenal in cup competitions (2016-17 FA Cup final; 2017-18 League Cup semifinal).

“It is nearly two weeks until the final and we will have plenty of time to train hard and have some rest. It is very important to arrive in good condition after a long season.”

-César Azpilicueta; source: Chelsea FC

So say we all.