Frank Lampard is looking forward to the challenge of facing Real Madrid, who are the holders of the Champions League, despite the daunting task ahead for his Chelsea team
Frank Lampard is looking forward to the daunting task of facing Real Madrid in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, describing it as an “amazing challenge”.
Lampard, a Chelsea legend, took over as interim boss until the end of the season and will lead the team into the first leg of the tie at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday.
Frank Lampard, who was sacked as Chelsea manager midway through the 2020-21 season, may feel that he has some unfinished business with the Blues in European competition, especially after the team went on to win the Champions League under his successor, Thomas Tuchel.
“This is amazing. I’ve been fortunate to manage in the Champions League, and to be here as a manager, when a week ago I didn’t know I’d be here, is a huge honor,” he said at a press conference.
“It’s an amazing challenge for me personally and for the club.
“I think we have to understand the strength of the Real Madrid team. We have to be disciplined with our game off the ball. understand the threats, the ways they like to score and how they control the game.
“We also have to show our own strengths in our game. We have to have belief and follow through with what the idea is under pressure.”
Lampard looks to Champions League ‘escapism’
Lampard was questioned about the reason behind Chelsea’s better performance in the European competition, considering their lack of consistency in the Premier League this season.
“I understand the question because I’ve viewed it from the outside. The Premier League is also one of the greatest challenges in world football,” he replied.
“I think in the Champions League it sometimes offer you some escapism. a different speed of game, they can all contribute to it.
“At this stage, you’re playing team of the level of Real Madrid. The comparisons are pretty worthless.”
Thiago Silva, Mason Mount and N’Golo Kante are set to be available for Lampard for the trip to Madrid. Lampard believes that they, along with the rest of the team, can prove their doubters wrong.
“They’re all fit. The three players are good and they’re here,” he said.
“It’s normal in a season like this that character gets questioned. The only thing the players can do is prove it on the pitch.
“There’s a lot we do behind the scenes. My job is to convey to them the need to train at a level and to have a mentality at a level, and then they have to show it.
“I’m not questioning there is a lot of character, because I’ve seen the dressing room. Sometimes players can have a lack of confidence.”
