Chelsea vs Real Madrid press conference: Lampard says anything is possible with the Bridge behind us
17 APR 2023
Frank Lampard insists our Champions League quarter-final with Real Madrid isn't over as Chelsea look to turn the tie around with the help of what he is sure will be a fantastic atmosphere created by the supporters at Stamford Bridge.
We suffered a 2-0 defeat in the first leg of this Champions League quarter-final in Spain last week, but now it is Chelsea's turn to enjoy home advantage as Frank Lampard prepares his team for a massive game at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday evening.
While our caretaker manager is under no illusions about the difficulty of the task facing us, he has also been around football and Chelsea long enough to know there is always a chance of producing something special.
'Anything is possible in football and there’s no doubt that we’re a competitive team and we deserve to be here in this stage of the competition,' said Lampard.
'We also understand that the opponent is really high-level, but if we get things right, if we work hard, if we do the right things in the game, then anything is possible.'
Frank is certain that his players will be welcomed onto the pitch with a fantastic atmosphere at Stamford Bridge for this huge tie, as he has experienced on so many memorable European nights with the Blues. However, he knows that is just the start and is looking on his players to pick up the baton and give the fans something to cheer about.
'I’ve got no doubt the atmosphere will be positive. When I say that, I’m talking about the lead-up to the game and the start of the game, the rest is a little bit down to us as a team to play with a real desire and know-how to turn the tie around.
'I’ve been here too many times at this level of game at Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on an evening midweek Champions League knock-out game, so I understand that the atmosphere is going to be great.
'Then it’s up to us to tap into that early in the game and make sure we engage the crowd throughout because they can help us when we’re at home. That’s why this two-legged competition is the best out there. I’m confident in that, we just need to play our part.'
Our caretaker manager also cast his eye over our opponents and explained why he believes the reigning European champions are such a consistently difficult side to come up against.
'Looking from the outside, firstly they have a great coach in Carlo Ancelotti, who I understand very well from working with him. So I think he needs to take full credit in this moment because what we saw last season in their run to the final was an amazing resilience that he led.
'Then what’s very visible from the outside is a core of players that have been there for a very long time, playing at the highest level year after year. They have talent and work ethic and leadership skills and they drive the group. I’m talking obviously about Modric, Kroos, Benzema and others. They have a very good recipe for a team that will be successful over a period of time.
'They also have individual talent that can win a game in any moment, whether they are with or without control. Those special players at the top end of the pitch at this level can be absolutely crucial to success and they have those. So they have a very good overall unit to have the success that they’ve had for so long.'
== Chelsea vs Real Madrid injury list ==
Kai Havertz, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Carney Chukwuemeka all trained at Cobham this morning after missing Saturday's match against Brighton due to minor injuries.
Kalidou Koulibaly had already been ruled out of this game by Frank Lampard after going off with a hamstring issue in the first leg. Armando Broja remains the one player on the long-term injury list, as his rehabilitation from cruciate ligament damage continues.
Real Madrid remain without left-back Ferland Mendy, who hasn't featured since the middle of March due to a calf injury, but otherwise Carlo Ancelotti expects to have a fully-fit squad at his disposal.
== Chelsea vs Real Madrid suspension ==
Ben Chilwell will miss this game as he serves a one-match Champions League ban due to the straight red card he received during the first leg in Spain.
Kepa Arrizabalaga, Enzo Fernandez, Conor Gallagher, Reece James, Kalidou Koulibaly, Mateo Kovacic, Mykhailo Mudryk and Thiago Silva are all one booking away from suspension.
In the Champions League, three yellow cards, as well as following any subsequent odd-numbered caution (fifth, seventh, ninth, etc), will result in a one-match-suspension in the competition. All yellow cards expire on completion of the quarter-finals and are not carried forward to the semi-finals.
== Champions League booking list ==
Enzo 4 (already served a suspension with Benfica), Mount 3 (already served suspension against Dortmund), C. Gallagher 2, R. James 2, Kepa 2, Koulibaly 2, Kovacic 2, Mudryk 2, Thiago Silva 2, Chilwell 1, Cucurella 1, W. Fofana 1, R. Sterling 1, Ziyech 1
== Chelsea vs Real Madrid referee and VAR ==
Referee: Daniele Orsato
VAR: Massimiliano Irrati
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Lampard on where victory tomorrow would rank and why passion goes both ways
17 APR 2023
A Chelsea team containing Frank Lampard overcame plenty of sizeable obstacles en route to our maiden Champions League triumph in 2012, and the man who is now our caretaker manager has considered where progression past Real Madrid would place in the pantheon of great European nights.
Lampard was no stranger to those during his 13 years as a Blue. The first two ended in humiliating fashion in the UEFA Cup, but 2003/04 brought a huge win away to Lazio and then an epic 2-1 success at Highbury courtesy of Wayne Bridge’s late winner. It was the first truly special Chelsea comeback in the competition, the like of which we require tomorrow.
Asked at his press conference today if a dramatic victory against the Champions League holders would eclipse even Munich and the like, Lampard’s response was clear.
‘I don’t think anything tomorrow would be better than winning the Champions League,’ he said. ‘We had many moments on that run, difficulties against Barcelona, Napoli, the final itself. It was a huge run.
‘But for us, considering the result now, the team we’re up against, the moment we’re in, we have to fight really hard to make it happen, so of course that would be special.’
Following reports this morning the new ownership had visited the dressing room after the weekend defeat to Brighton and spoken to the players, Lampard was asked if it is something he is comfortable with.
‘There may be some criticism of our old owner, not coming to games and not being around, although that wasn’t always true, but when an owner is very invested in their team and wanting to help and improve, it’s their prerogative to have the input they want.
‘I remember as a player the moments of owners first coming into dressing rooms. It happened here at Chelsea, and I was really happy. You could feel them, high five them, touch them, listen to them, so it’s not a bad thing with the identity of the club and where you want to get to. I have no problem with it.
‘I had my things to say after the game. If an owner comes in and wants to be positive and speak to the players, it’s absolutely his part to do that. It shows passion, and that’s the first thing I like.
‘Passion goes both ways,’ added Lampard. ‘The fans show passion, and the ownership wouldn’t expect anything else. We all have a passion for wanting this club to do well. We have been fortunate to be successful for the last 20 years, which means you want more of it.
‘Passionate owners want to make a difference to the club and we are in the early stages of a process on those terms. People always question everything at the beginning of the process.
‘For us working we have to get our heads down and work in front of us. Passion is normal. We can all be passionate together and get to where we want to be.’
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Lampard details where Chelsea must improve tonight
18 APR 2023
Having analysed the first leg of our Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid in the days leading up to tonight’s decider at Stamford Bridge, Frank Lampard has identified a couple of key areas his Chelsea side must do better at if we are to complete a famous European comeback.
The Blues were beaten 2-0 in the Bernabeu last week, leaving us with an uphill challenge but far from an insurmountable one. The last two occasions we have returned to the Bridge for the second leg of a Champions League tie two goals behind, we have still progressed.
Lampard watched both legs of our meeting with Real this time last year before this tie started, and since the match in Madrid on Wednesday he has studied the game closely to see where his Blues can improve.
‘We had opportunities to score last week, but at the same time there were a lot of things we could have done better in that game,’ he said.
‘I felt that in-game, and I feel it even more having reviewed the game. There were things we wanted to do from the outset that we didn’t do well enough throughout the game.
‘That’s not just the physical side, it was our use of the ball. We can improve on that and we have to improve on that to have a chance of turning this tie around. We have worked on that and hopefully you see the fruits of that in the game.
‘I am clear with the players with that. I know they have the capacity to give this a good go, but we must get our game right and be better than we were last week.’
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以下內容出自 football.london：
Every word Frank Lampard said on Todd Boehly in Chelsea dressing room, Torres and Real Madrid
By Scott Trotter, Chelsea writer - 16:57, 17 APR 2023
．Are Chelsea broken and would getting through be bigger achievement than 2012 win in Champions League?
We’re not where we want to be. I think the word broken is a bit much, but we’re not where we want to be. That’s clear, the league position is a reality in the Premier League, we’re 2-0 down in this game, so I think those things are just reality. We have to work against that and show in every way we can because we’re in that moment.
I don’t think anything tomorrow will be better than winning the Champions League in my opinion because we had many moments on that run of difficulties against Barcelona and Napoli. It was a huge run with a lot of big achievements. For us, considering the result now, considering the team we are up against and the moment we are in, we have to fight really hard to make it happen so of course that would be special.
．On Saturday you said the team was 'lacking capacity and needing physical work' is that a pop at the previous regime and players not being fit enough?
That’s how you’ve taken it because I’m always big on personal responsibility in football as a player and as a group. So when I’m talking like that I’m not blaming anyone else from what I see now and what I see in the future, so it’s something we have to address now and address going forward because it’s a big part of the game and we do a lot of work and delve into the data and statistics on the output of what we put into games. It’s not a question of commitment of players but my job is to focus in on points we can get better at to compete at this level and I think it’s something that as a short-term thing we can improve on and that’s we are going to do.
．Fernando Torres scored in 2012 at Barcelona, have you spoken about that to players in terms of how they can turn things around?
Anything is possible, in football anyway. There’s no doubt that we are a competitive team and that we deserve to be here at this stage of the competition. We also understand that the opponent is of a really high level.
We have to be careful to compare to previous moments or games because for Fernando Torres to go through and score that goal for Chelsea there is a big body of work behind that. And good and bad and difficult moments for us. A personal thing for Fernando, a group thing for us because we had lost semi finals, lost a final. There is always a lot of back story to it.
The only thing when you look back on those things is that it is always possible to create, to start that story and we have that opportunity. So I don't think it is worth comparing too much. It is worth focusing on the here and now with a little understanding that if we get things right, if we work hard and do the right things in the game then anything is possible.
．Can you help the owners through the intricacies of English football?
No, all I'll do is speak honestly about how I see the club and do my work. Whilst I am here and manager of the football club in this period I will speak honestly, do my work on the training ground and have a lot of communication because I have a lot of care for this football club. That’s my job. It’s not my job to consider people’s approaches. I will just speak about my approaches and what I see.
．With defeat, there will be nothing left to play for, can avoid the pressure and just have to handle it?
I think so. I have got no problem with the club and what will be will be. But also every game we play for Chelsea is a good opportunity to win games and particularly with our form this season to try to get back to the feeling that it is possible. Nothing could have less on it, as far as I am concerned. Every game - Madrid, Brentford, Arsenal, going forward all the way to Newcastle on the last day - is and should be a huge game for us as individuals - myself included - and the collective because we all want to prove you know what it means when you represent Chelsea. I understand why it is important tomorrow but whatever way the result goes tomorrow we will keep working till the end.
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