MADRID, 13 Abr. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Chelsea coach, Frank Lampard, acknowledged a lack of “confidence” at times in his team and highlighted the fight by staying with one less in the last half hour against Real Madrid, although he regretted conceding the 2-0 in a mistake, facing to a Champions League quarter-final second leg that “will be different” next week at Stamford Bridge.
“It’s been a bit complicated, Madrid has a lot of quality, but it’s open for next week. It’s been a mix of feelings. We were in the game eleven against eleven and then they didn’t create many chances for us with 10. I’m proud of the team although many things can be done better. We have had opportunities and it has been even. We have had a fighting spirit when we have been left behind. We have to work on confidence, mentality, be more positive”, he said.
On the other hand, the English coach acknowledged at a press conference that the defense of five had as part of the plan to protect Vinicius’s entry on the wing. “It was part of the reason. We have tried to be protagonists, also apply pressure, control the game,” he said, before assessing a game that he expects to be “different” at Stamford Bridge next Tuesday.
“I’m sure, we trust. We have to believe in Stamford Bridge, with our fans, it will be a different story, we can show it, have another mentality. The fans will help us, we have to keep working. There are options,” he added, confident that the Chelsea change face.
The top scorer in the history of the London club, in his second spell as coach, also appreciated the role of a Joao Félix who was discreet. “It’s been a tough game for Felix and Sterling, without the ball. They had to work a lot. Felix is very talented, it’s been a tough night,” he said.
“There are 90 minutes of football left. We can be more focused, better mentally. Working is the first thing I think about, going further with more confidence. If we continue like this, the situation can change. We have to be more aggressive,” he added, at the same time as he insisted on his team’s fight by playing with 10 for half an hour.
All in all, Lampard regretted the second goal, by Asensio after a corner kick poorly defended by his team, in the 75th minute. “We weren’t focused on the mark. We were one less, it was difficult. Madrid didn’t make many chances, but it is a pity. We should not have conceded the second”, settled, without thinking that his future beyond June depends on this tie.