Cahill calls on Chelsea to show champ’s spirit

LONDON – Gary Cahill has urged Chelsea to draw on the memory of last season’s Champions League success when they face Swansea in the second leg of their English League Cup semifinal on Wednesday.

Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Swansea Cityu2019s Spanish striker Michu scored in the 2-0 win at Stanford Bridge and will be the Chelseau2019s biggest threat in the second leg. Net photo.

SF 2 2nd Leg:TodaySwansea City vs Chelsea 21:40 SS5LONDON – Gary Cahill has urged Chelsea to draw on the memory of last season’s Champions League success when they face Swansea in the second leg of their English League Cup semifinal on Wednesday.Rafael Benitez’s side travel to the Liberty Stadium trailing 2-0 from the first leg at Stamford Bridge and face a daunting challenge if they are to clinch a place in the Wembley final.They will head to south Wales, however, lifted by the 2-1 weekend win over Arsenal that centre-back Cahill claims has revived the club’s Premier League title ambitions.The England international believes their performances in last season’s European campaign, which included a penalty shoot-out win in the final against Bayern Munich in a match played on the German club’s own ground, proved they are capable of defying the odds when silverware is at stake."It’s not beyond us,” Cahill said. "We have done it before in the Champions League. It’s going to be tough because it’s a hard place to go."The key is getting the first goal, if we get it then it will be a nervous night for them. That’s what we’re aiming to do.”Chelsea’s away form under interim manager Benitez has been formidable and they will confront Michael Laudrup’s side on the back of six successive domestic victories on their travels.Swansea’s progress this season has been such that Laudrup has figured prominently among the list of contenders to become the permanent manager at Chelsea at the end of the season.The Denmark playing great’s reputation will only be enhanced if he can steer Swansea to the first major cup final in their 100-year history.