Can Rotherham Turn a Two-Goal Deficit into a Wembley-sized Roar?

Then, Rotherham were the ones making Chelsea blink; now the Millers must find two goals just to draw level. The first leg, played on 29 April, ended Chelsea 2-0 Rotherham United, so there is no hiding from the arithmetic when they meet again on 7 May: win the tie and reach the final, or watch Chelsea go through.

Chelsea struck early through Francisco Pardal in the fifth minute, and Júnior added another in the 31st. That old result is the reminder the Millers need: this is not a mountain nobody has climbed.

The English Premier Division champions arrive as leaders on 91 points from 33 games, with three league wins in a row. Rotherham are third, on 64 points from 34, and have won three of their last five league games. Both arrive with winning runs in the competition: five for Rotherham and five for Chelsea.

Thomas Bernardini, the striker who scored twice and assisted in Rotherham’s 4-1 win over Napoli on 16 April, gives the home crowd a reason to believe. Rodrigues is another threat, while Chelsea’s Lionel Messi has been creating chances and arrives in fine form. There is also a familiar face on either side: Norberto Pico once played for Rotherham, while Antonio López has worn the Millers’ shirt too.

Rotherham are expected to have Manuel Miranda on the bench, despite being fit; Chelsea’s likely side includes Jassem Abdulla, Howard Parkins and Roberto Baggio. The Millers will need the noise, the nerve and a sharper night than the first leg. You know how a European evening can feel when a goal finally gives the crowd permission to believe. Rotherham need that spark, and then another.