Benitez looks on bright side as Chelsea bow out in style
Blues become first defending champions to exit at the group stage but the coach has high hopes for the Europa League and the world club event
Chelsea interim coach Rafael Benitez did his best to focus on the positives after the holders went out of the Champions League at the group phase despite thrashing FC Nordsjaelland.
A 6-1 success in west London saw Chelsea end their group E campaign in style, but Juventus' 1-0 win at Shakhtar Donetsk meant the champions finished third in the group and slipped into the Europa League.
Since taking over from the sacked Roberto Di Matteo, Benitez has seen Chelsea fall 10 points off the pace in the Premier League, and they now hold the dubious distinction of being the first Champions League winners to tumble at the first hurdle the following season.
The bare facts paint a bleak picture of life at Stamford Bridge, but with the Club World Cup in Japan to look forward to next week, Benitez says there is no time to dwell on disappointment.
"I'm sure playing at the level we played at today, we can do whatever we want, but we have to start in the next game," he said.
"My approach is one game at a time. Everything I'm seeing from the players is good - they are progressing, improving and adjusting to the little ideas we are trying to change."