Murat Yakin targets Champions League knockout stages

Basel manager Murat Yakin has said that his side can reach the knockout stages of the Champions League.

The Swiss side face Chelsea tonight at Stamford Bridge and will also play Steaua Bucuresti and Schalke 04 in their Champions League group.

Basel were knocked out in the semi-finals of the Europa League last season by tonight's opponents, but Yakin is optimistic that if his team plays as well as they did last year, they can advance from the group.

"We are targeting the second round. To qualify you need to finish in second place, and this is possible," he is quoted as saying on UEFA's official website.

"It takes a Basel as last year, with fearless courage to play good football."

Basel are currently third in the Swiss Super League.