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Europa League | Round-of-32
Feb 14, 2013 at 6pm UK
 
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Rafael Benitez: 'We need to be more clinical'

Chelsea interim manager Rafael Benitez warns his team that they must be more clinical in front of goal after watching them scrape a win over Sparta Prague.

Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez has admitted that his side need to be more clinical in front of goal after watching them scrape a 1-0 victory at Sparta Prague in the Europa League.

The Blues take a one-goal lead into the second leg of the last-32 tie after Oscar came off the bench and found the net, but the Spaniard was not completely satisfied.

"Eighteen attempts away is not bad but we have to be more clinical in attack," Sky Sports News quotes him as saying. "The first 20 minutes we were in control. We had some half chances. We were in control.

"After this 20 minutes they were pushing and pushing. The team, as a team, had problems defending.

"We changed a little bit in the second half. I think the concentration of the team was much better, the intensity in defence was much better and then we had more control."

Benitez singled out under-fire striker Fernando Torres for praise, insisting that his work rate was impressive even though he failed to score.

"Fernando's work rate today was really good and thanks to him the rest of the team, especially the second line of offensive players, could create," he added.

"His job was push and run and keep their defenders deep so he could create space for the other players.

"Everybody expects from a striker just to score goals but he's doing also a great job for the team."

The return leg takes place at Stamford Bridge on February 21.

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Chelsea's Marko Marin in action against Sparta Prague on February 14, 2013
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Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
QWest Ham650115
QFreiburg640212
3Olympiacos62137
4Backa Topola60151

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
QBrighton641113
QMarseille632111
3Ajax61235
4AEK Athens61144

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
QRangers632111
QSparta Prague631210
3Betis63039
4Aris Limassol61144

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
QAtalanta642014
QSporting Lisbon632111
3Sturm Graz61144
4Rakow61144

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
QLiverpool640212
QToulouse632111
3Union SG62228
4LASK61053

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
QVillarreal641113
QRennes640212
3M. Haifa61235
4Panathinaikos61144

Group G

TeamPWDLPTS
QSlavia Prague650115
QRoma641113
3Servette61235
4Sheriff Tiraspol60151

Group H

TeamPWDLPTS
QB. Leverkusen660018
QQarabag631210
3Molde62137
4Hacken60060


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