Frank Lampard: Champions League Semi-Final Door Remains Open to Chelsea Despite Defeat to Real Madrid in Quarter-Final First Leg
Frank Lampard has admitted that it is a big challenge for Chelsea to overturn a two-goal deficit to Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final but insisted the door to the semi-final remains open for the Blues.
Goals from Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio on either side of the half-time sealed the win for Real Madrid. Chelsea, meanwhile, ended the game with 10 men after the referee brandished a red card to Ben Chilwell for a foul on Rodrygo in the 59th minute.
This was Chelsea’s second game since they appointed Frank Lampard as their interim manager following their sacking of Graham Potter. Chelsea lost both fixtures.
Speaking after the game, Frank Lampard said the door to the Champions League semi-final remains open to Chelsea but conceded it is a big challenge for the Blues to overturn the two-goal deficit.
He added: “Mixed emotions about the game. For the period with 11 men, we were in the game and we had some chances and I think we can do better.
“I’ve been here a short time and I definitely think we can utilise our strengths better. Especially with the system at wing-back, we need to be more urgent in giving them a problem with that. Those are things that I, the staff, and the players can work on because I could see an opportunity there tonight.
“Spirit at the end of the game, great. Ten men here for half an hour, you understand that lots of things can happen from that. Lots and lots of great chances, I like that part of it and we have to believe. I have to be the first one to believe.”
Meanwhile, the second leg match between Chelsea and Real Madrid will kick off at 12:30 am Indian Standard Time on April 19.
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