Chelsea captain Azpilicueta sets Champions League ambition

Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta has plans to win the Champions League and rates side’s chances of winning the competition.

Azpilicueta is aiming to repeat Chelsea’s heroics from 2012 when the Blues were crowned champions of Europe.

The Spanish defender just missed out on that trophy as he only joined the west London side three months later. For all of the trophies he has won at Stamford Bridge, Europe’s big prize is the one that has eluded him.

I know we have a huge test ahead against Atlético, so I’m not getting ahead of myself, but damn I wanna win the Champions League so badly for Azpi. He’s won everything with us except that, he’s been at the club for almost a decade & has given the club 110% effort the whole time. pic.twitter.com/m0GTZKZbrf
— Alex Goldberg (@AlexGoldberg_) February 17, 2021

So far this season, Chelsea have fallen from title challengers this season but remain in the hunt for the Champions League.

However, a big test awaits them as they take on Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid in the round of 16.

For a player who came through the ranks at Osasuna, Azpilicueta is well familiar with Atletico, having faced them many times in his career.

The Champions League is perceived to be one of the most difficult competitions to win but the Chelsea captain remains optimistic about his side’s chances.

Azplicueta says he has a personal target to lift the Champions League for Chelsea.

“When I joined Chelsea in 2012 after winning the Champions League, of course my aim was to repeat that,” he said to the club’s official website.

“It is something that sticks inside and every year when the chance comes, I want to go further. It is the biggest competition in Europe. We know it is very tough but you have to be ready for that challenge.”

“Personally, it is something that is in me and hopefully we can start from tomorrow, have a good game, get a great result and see how far we can go.”

If Chelsea are to stand a chance of advancing past Atletico, they must keep in-form forward Luis Suarez at bay. Azpilicueta has a plan to keep the Uruguayan quiet as well.

“The best way to defend him is to keep him as far away from the goal as possible. That’s a collective job and as defenders we know that.” he added.

“I faced him when he was at Liverpool and with Barcelona in the Champions League. He is a great striker, we know his numbers and wherever he plays he scores a lot of goals.”

“We will try to defend against him collectively, control the game and to keep the attacking players as far from our goal as possible.”