Benfica want to make history against Chelsea, says Gaitan

Posted Wednesday, May 15, 2013 by Goal.com

The 25-year-old believes that the Eagles' trophy drought in Europe will be a motivating factor for his team-mates on Wednesday as they take on the Blues at the Amsterdam Arena

Nicolas Gaitan says that "the time is now" for Benfica to make history as they prepare to face Chelsea in the Europa League final.

Over 50 years have elapsed since the Eagles last tasted success on the continent and the winger is desperate to end that drought and add to the club's previously rich European heritage.

"I know it has been a long time since Benfica reached a European final," he told Uefa.com. "I know they are a team with a lot of victories in the past. Now we have a chance to achieve that as well. So in terms of history, the time is now.

"It doesn't matter if you win two games here or three games there, it's all about how you play and what happens on the day [of the final]. You have to do well on that day and nothing else."

Benfica striker Lima went on to echo his team-mate's sentiments and added how keen the players are leave their own personal stamp on the history books.

"Not only for the fans, who have waited so long for a European competition title, but I also believe it would be very important for the players to leave their names in a European competition," he said.

"It's very important for them as well but the fans ... what they can expect is a group and a team who are very much focused on making that possible – but they know that it won't be easy for us."