UCL: Lampard reveals what Chelsea will need to over-turn 1st-leg deficit vs Real Madrid

Caretaker April 13, 2023

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After watching his Chelsea FC charges fall to a 2-0 UEFA Champions League quater-final 1st-leg loss to Real Madrid, Frank Lampard still believes the Blues can overturn the deficit if there can put up a special performance at Stamford Bridge.

At the Santiago Bernabeu , Chelsea FC failed to score despite opportunities for Joao Felix, Raheem Sterling and substitute Mason Mount to extend their run without scoring to four games. Goals from Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio ensured the Blues will chase the second-leg in London.

Frank Lampard will have to find answers to the teams poor run of form quickly with the 2nd-leg to take place at Stamford Bridge in six-days from today.

“I think it’s a big challenge, of course, against a team with the quality of Real Madrid,” Lampard said. “But the door is open and it’s up to us whether we want to kick it open further next week or not.

“The result is the reality. I’ve just said to the players ‘special things can happen at Stamford Bridge.’ They are a very good team but we have to believe.”

“There is a lot there for us, as good a team as they are,” Lampard added

For most parts of the game on Wednesday, Chelsea players were unable to hold onto the ball, suggesting fear as they lost possession to their more composed hosts. Things got even worse with the sending off of defender Ben Chillwell and Lampard in his post-match interview conceded there`s a problem with the players self belief.

“There’s a little bit of a lack of belief. I think the players have got to understand how good they are, what they can do. There were opportunities to use the size of the pitch more, to be a bit more aggressive — things we can maybe do next week.

“There was some good in there, with the spirit. The result is a fact, but next week will be a big fight.” He said.

To overturn the first leg deficit and reach the semi-final, Chelsea will have to score at least 3-unreplied goals against Real Madrid or any 3-goal win margin. Also, a 2-goal win margin will force extra-time and possibly penalty shoot-outs at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, April 18.