AMSTERDAM : Chelsea captain John Terry missed out on his second consecutive major European final after being left out of the squad for the Europa League decider with Benfica in Amsterdam on Wednesday due to injury.
Terry, who was suspended for last season’s Champions League triumph over Bayern Munich, was not even named on the bench at Amsterdam Arena after failing to overcome an ankle injury.
Chelsea interim manager Rafael Benitez made four changes to the team that started Saturday’s 2-1 league win at Aston Villa, with Branislav Ivanovic taking Terry’s place and Oscar coming in for the injured Eden Hazard.
Fernando Torres and David Luiz also came into the side, with long-serving midfielder Frank Lampard taking the captain’s armband in Terry’s absence.
Benfica coach Jorge Jesus made three changes to his side from the team that lined up in the damaging 2-1 defeat at Portuguese title rivals Porto at the weekend.
Melgarejo replaced the suspended Maxi Pereira at full-back, with Benfica’s competition top-scorer Oscar Cardozo and Rodrigo coming into the attacking line in place of Lima and Dutch winger Ola John.
Starting line-ups:
Benfica (4-2-3-1)
Artur; Andre Almeida, Luisao (capt), Ezequiel Garay, Melgarejo; Nemanja Matic, Enzo Perez; Eduardo Salvio, Nicolas Gaitan, Rodrigo; Oscar Cardozo
Coach: Jorge Jesus (POR)
Chelsea (4-2-3-1)
Petr Cech; Cesar Azpilicueta, Branislav Ivanovic, Gary Cahill, Ashley Cole; David Luiz, Frank Lampard (capt); Oscar, Juan Mata, Ramires; Fernando Torres
Coach: Rafael Benitez (ESP)
Referee: Bjorn Kuipers (NED)
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