Rafael Benitez insisted he did not need another “miracle” to rescue Chelsea from Champions League humiliation. Benitez famously masterminded what was dubbed ‘The Miracle of Istanbul’ seven and a half years ago when Liverpool produced one of the greatest comeback in European Cup final history to beat AC Milan. But he declared on Tuesday afternoon that Chelsea did not require divine intervention to avoid becoming the first Champions League holders to crash out of the competition before Christmas. That is despite the Blues going into Wednesday’s final Group E game needing to beat Nordsjaelland while hoping Shakhtar Donetsk produce the same result against Juventus. Anything else and the team which ended their agonising wait for Champions League glory just six months ago will suffer the indignity of continuing their European campaign in the Europa League. Interim manager Benitez acknowledged Chelsea might need “a bit of luck” on Wednesday night but said: “I don’t think it’s a miracle. “We have to do our job and wait for the other teams.” Benitez reiterated he had no fears of a Shakhtar stitch-up, despite a draw suiting both the Ukrainian champions and Juve. The Spaniard arguably should be less concerned about the mentality of the group leaders and more worried about that of his own side, who are on their worst run in the Barclays Premier League for 15 years after failing to win any of their three matches since he took charge.
