For all of the bad press Maurizio Sarri has got, Chelsea aren't actually in bad shape heading into the closing stage of the season. They are in the thick of the top four race, and will surely also be in a Europa League semi final.
Achieving either of those goals, and secure Champions League football for next season, it would represent a decent season for Chelsea, although it is unclear if that will be enough to guarantee the Italian manager a place at Stamford Bridge next season.
They entered this evening's Europa League quarter final second leg as heavy favourites to dispatch of Slavia Praha, bringing a 1-0 lead back from the Czech Republic. They opened the scoring inside five minutes, with Pedro finishing off a beautiful team move.
Have a look at this Chelsea goal.
Stunning football from Azpilicueta & Pedro.
👏👏👏#CHESLA #UEL #VMSport pic.twitter.com/4GMUjMs9lG— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) April 18, 2019
The second goal of the game was not so easy on the eyes. This time Pedro would miss an absolute sitter, hitting the post from point blank range. Luckily for him, the ball would rebound off the face of Slavia Praha defender Simon Deli and into the net.
1: More brilliant football from Chelsea.
2: "Slippy shot" from Hazard, says Brian Kerr.
3: Pedro hits the post from 2 yards out.
4: Hits Deli in the face.
5: Goal.#CHESLA #UEL #VMSport pic.twitter.com/v5jfuo3ohX— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) April 18, 2019
They all count. Of course there is very little the defender can do in this situation, but it is still fairly funny all the same. Pedro will certainly be relived that the goal will take the attention away from his miss.
Chelsea will now be on their to a Europa League semi-final, where they will face either Eintracht Frankfurt or Benfica, with the Portuguese side currently ahead in the tie.
