Having finally gained the advantage in their top four challenge following last Sunday’s draw with Manchester United an injury-hit Chelsea team head to Germany to take on a resurgent Frankfurt team in the first-leg of their Europa League semi-final.
Frankfurt are looking to end their 39 year wait for European glory after an impressive season that has seen them defy expectations following the departure of Nico Kovac to Bayern Munich in the summer. A wealth of new found attacking talent has emerged from the Balkans this season, as Serbian duo Luka Jovic and Filip Kostic have joined forces with Croatian winger Ante Rebic to form one of Europe’s most clinical front lines alongside Sebastien Haller. This is not to say the German outfit are by any means personified by the killer instincts of their forwards, as no less than 16 players have contributed a goal or an assist in 12 Europa League outings.
Chelsea meanwhile have been fortunate to see their own poor form coincide with late season collapses from the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester United, and as a result, they still hold their destiny in their own hands when it comes to securing a Champions League spot for next season.
Sarri will be hoping to come away relatively unscathed as he seeks to win his first trophy in management.
