Azpilicueta inspired by FA Cup fightback

By FOX SPORTS Staff

The Blues were very nearly knocked out of the FA Cup by United at Old Trafford on Sunday; the Red Devils raced into a two goal lead within the first 15 minutes of the game and looked to be cruising into the semi-finals of the competition, but Rafael Benitez's men rallied and fought back to level the scores as the game eventually finished 2-2.

And Chelsea will have to come from behind once again on Thursday when they take on Steaua in the second leg of their last-16 Europa League tie. The Romanian outfit edged out the Blues 1-0 at home in the first leg courtesy of a Raul Rusescu penalty. 

But Azpilicueta claims his side are more than ready to meet the challenge of Steaua after their morale-boosting draw against United.

"It was important for us because after the first half the reaction of the team was very good," Azpilicueta was quoted as saying by the official Chelsea website. 

"We were strong mentally and thought we could win the game. We know that if we are at our best level we can beat anybody. 

"The confidence we gained from it will be important for the next game and for the rest of the season.

"The manager said at half-time we needed to improve, we made some mistakes and they were creating problems, so he made some adjustments. 

"It was the mental aspect that was the most important. We had the confidence to come back in the game and we did it well.

"Our job is to keep focused and keep working every day in training. The supporters are happy when we win. 

"Everybody wants to win and we need to carry on because we have so many important objectives between now and the end of the season. 

"Hopefully we will win trophies, and if we meet our objectives everyone will be happy."

Azpilicueta also played down suggestions that his side had not taken Steaua seriously in the first leg.

"We did treat the game seriously," Azpilicueta declared. 

"We went there with the mentality to win, we didn't play our best game and we lost, it can happen in some games. 

"Now we have the chance to come back and win the game in front of our own supporters, and we will do our best to make sure we do it.

"We studied Steaua Bucharest as we usually do when we play every team. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, but it wasn't because we weren't focused, we wanted to win.

"I don't think either team is favourite. The reality is that we lost 1-0 and now we play at Stamford Bridge. 

"We need to win the game, what's important is the score at the end."

One of the key players in Chelsea's draw with United was Eden Hazard, and Azpilicueta was full of praise for the Belgian forward and tipped him to make a huge impact for the Blues in the remainder of the season.

"The impact Eden had in the last game was very important for the team," Azpilicueta added. 

"When he came on we felt the difference, he scored a brilliant goal and changed the way we were playing.

"We know he's a very good player, I knew him when he was in France and I knew about the talent he had. 

"These kind of players can make the difference at any time and it's very important to have him with us."

Azpilicueta has established himself as an integral part of Chelsea's setup this season and has made 28 appearances for the club so far.