Chelsea’s hopes hang in the balance

LONDON-Although Rafa Benitez can’t be blamed for Chelsea’s current plight in the Champions League, elimination this week would give his many critics further ammunition at the end of a tortuous first two weeks in charge of the club.

Roberto Di Matteo’s final act as Chelsea manager was to oversee a 3-0 loss at Juventus that leaves the team on the cusp of becoming the first reigning champion to fail to qualify for the knockout stage of the competition.

For the holders to squeeze through, they will need to beat FC Nordsjaelland and hope already-qualified Shakhtar Donetsk defeat Juventus in Ukraine in the other Group E match.

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