Topics: Chelsea, Real Madrid, Champions League, Frank Lampard, Football
Chelsea caretaker manager Frank Lampard made a bizarre admission that he didn’t realise Real Madrid “were that good” after his side’s Champions League defeat.
Lampard, who was sacked by Chelsea in 2021, made his stunning return to Stamford Bridge this month after Graham Potter was axed by the club.
The interim Chelsea boss faced an uphill task on Wednesday evening as the Blues travelled to the Santiago Bernabeu for their clash with Madrid.
Goals from Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio sealed a 2-0 win for defending Champions League holders Madrid in the first-leg quarter-final tie.
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Lampard has now suffered back-to-back defeats as Chelsea caretaker manager, with the Blues suffering a shock 1-0 defeat to Wolves last Saturday.
Journalist Arancha Rodriguez now reports that the Chelsea legend claimed that they “didn’t know” Los Blancos “were that good” of a team.
Speaking after the Champions League defeat, Lampard admitted that it was a “difficult night for the lads” after Ben Chilwell was sent off early in the second half.
However, the former Everton and Derby County manager has urged his side to bounce back in the return leg at Stamford Bridge on 18th April.
“It’s a big challenge against a team with a quality of Real Madrid, but the door is open; it is up to us whether we want to kick it open further next week,” he said.
“We have mixed emotions about tonight’s game. With 11 we were in it and had some chances. I definitely think we can utilise our strengths better.
“There are things to work on and I can see opportunities there from tonight. We have to believe it is possible: a percentage of the game is mindset, a belief.”
He added: “The fans will believe. They will come and support us. They are realistic: we’re 2-0 down against Real Madrid, but that is done now.
“And I have been involved in games before where we have changed it. We are in a different place now and maybe that’s a good thing: we’re in a place where we want to prove people wrong, to change the tone, to change the story.
“We were down to 10 men against Real Madrid. It was a difficult night for the lads. It will be different next week.
“We’re not favourites: we weren’t favourites yesterday and we’re not favourites today, but that’s football. The possibilities are there is we can take them.”
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