Steaua Bucharest 1 Chelsea 0:Europe was supposed to set Rafael Benítez apart but it is merely adding to his angst. Chelsea must now recover a deficit in next week's return leg if they are to force a passage into the quarter-finals.

Recovery is not beyond them but, with a wounded Manchester United to come on Sunday and their own confidence bruised, a pervading sense of anxiety persists.

The reigning European champions rarely imposed themselves on an occasion that cried out for dynamism, their urgency reserved for the period just after they had conceded the game’s only goal and then, later, as Steaua retreated. Benítez pointed to the excellence of the home goalkeeper, Ciprian Tatarusanu, as evidence of dominance but, in truth, Chelsea failed to impress.

They looked sluggish for periods, perhaps grateful that Steaua had not torn into them from the outset, but their own head of steam was belated and rather fitful.

Raking pass

Tatarusanu denied the substitute Marko Marin at his near-post, the German having been found wonderfully by John Terry’s raking pass to the far side, but that, after 83 minutes, was as close as they came to an equaliser.

This was a 50th game of a slog of a season for Chelsea that has been accompanied by too many disappointments already. Even the sense of injustice at the award of the decisive penalty was half-hearted.

Iasmin Latovlevici found rare space down the left to fling over a fine cross towards Raul Rusescu, looming above Ryan Bertrand at the far post.

The full-back, one of a quintet of changes from Saturday’s victory over West Bromwich Albion, tugged at the striker as he sprung to connect, with the Russian official acknowledging the offence.

“It was a soft penalty to give with so many officials around the goal, but, if it was, why no red card? Strange,” said Benítez, the last sentiment echoed by his opposite number.

Rusescu thumped the spot-kick past Petr Cech’s and the visitors were breached.

Soon afterwards Yossi Benayoun scuffed his shot from the edge of the area, allowing Tatarusanu to save at full stretch.

Guardian Service