Chelsea's hopes for a title defense in the Champions League and winning the Premier League have vanished and the Europa League may be of particular importance for the blue team and Rafa Benitez.
Just a few weeks remain until the end of the season and Chelsea remains fighting on three fronts. The team will compete for entry into the top four in the Premier League and winning the tournament FA Cup, where they are about to a semi-final against Manchester City.
Chelsea are unbeaten at home in the last 11 games in Europe, but Rubin Kazan never lost as a guest in this edition of the tournament. Among the impressive performances of Russians are the 3-0 win over Inter Milan a 2-0 win away to Atletico Madrid, breaking run of 24 games without a loss for the Spaniards.
Selection of Rafa Benitez is slightly hampered after injuries to Ashley Cole and Gary Cahill. Demba Ba cannot take part, leaving Fernando Torres the only available striker.
Impressive team statistics highlight this quarter final clash to be tough and most likely the teams will start cautiously.