Europa League - Chelsea to face FC Basel in semi-finals

Chelsea have been drawn against FC Basel of Switzerland in the Europa League semi-finals.

The reigning European champions will have the second leg of the tie at Stamford Bridge against Tottenham's conquerers after the draw was made in Nyon.

Rafael Benitez's side lost 3-2 to Rubin Kazan on Thursday evening, but went through to the semi-finals 5-4 on aggregate despite the defeat in Russia.
Basel overcame Tottenham on penalties in Switzerland after a 4-4 aggregate draw with both legs finishing 2-2.
Midfielder Frank Lampard denied Chelsea considered the Europa League a second-class trophy despite dropping in from the Champions League and repeatedly playing a weakened team.
He said: "The club needs to win silverware; it's a club that's been involved around silverware for many a year. When you get used to that, it makes you hungrier to keep wanting to do it."
"We've not maligned (the Europa League); I don't think the players, the club and the management have," Lampard added.
"The minute you drop out of the Champions League and come into it, of course there's disappointment, but the minute you start playing the games, you've got a determination to try to get as far as you can. We've had that all along."
Fenerbahce, who beat Lazio 3-1 on aggregate to progress to the final four having lost their two previous European quarter-finals, will play Benfica in the other semi-final match.
The two-leg ties will take place on April 25 and May 2.
EUROPA LEAGUE SEMI-FINALS
FC Basel v Chelsea
Fenerbahce v Benfica
- - -
FC Basel
European semi-final record: None
Last semi-final appearance: None
This season: W4 D6 L2 F16 A10
Top scorer: Marco Streller 4
Chelsea
European semi-final record: Won 4 Lost 6
Last semi-final appearance: 2011/12 (Champions League, won 3-2 v Barcelona)
This season: W3 D1 L2 F10 A7
Top scorer: Fernando Torres 4
Head to head: None
- - -
Fenerbahce
European semi-final record: None
Last semi-final appearance: None
This season: W7 D4 L1 F16 A9
Top scorer: Dirk Kuyt and Cristian 3
Benfica
European semi-final record: Won 8 Lost 4
Last semi-final appearance: 2010/11 (Europa League, 2-2 v Braga, lost on away goals)
This season: W5 D1 L0 F11 A5
Top scorer: Oscar Cardozo 4
Head to head: P2, Benfica W1 D0 L1 F7 A1