Lampard Confident Chelsea Will Rise To Madrid Challenge

Chelsea surprised everyone by appointing Frank Lampard as the interim manager after sacking Graham Potter earlier this month.

Lampard has rejoined the club as manager until the end of the season. His first spell at the club came between 2019 and early 2021, during which the Englishman was in charge of 84 competitive matches.

With Chelsea dawdling in mid-table, Lampard has a monumental task ahead of him, as he looks to steer the sinking ship. His second spell at the club did not start on the right note either, with the Blues suffering a defeat to Wolves.

An even bigger challenge awaits them in the UEFA Champions League, where Chelsea have been drawn against defending champions Real Madrid.

Speaking to the media after a defeat to Wolves, Lampard talked about the upcoming Real Madrid tie in the UCL quarterfinals, offering a rather diplomatic response.

“It’s a different competition, it will be a different type of game and it’s up to us to prepare in the right way and anything can happen. We respect the fact we’re playing the current holders so we have to focus on that now and cannot be too despondent,” he said (h/t TalkSport).

Chelsea will be heading into the tie after beating Borussia Dortmund 2-1 on aggregate, in the Round of 16 stage. Real Madrid, on the other hand, swept aside Premier League giants Liverpool 6-2 on aggregate.

While the odds certainly favour the Spanish giants, it is worth noting that the club have performed rather poorly in domestic competitions.

Although Real Madrid’s confidence will be boosted following a 4-0 drubbing of rivals Barcelona in Copa Del Rey, it is apparent that the team has looked far from perfect this season.

Only time will tell what transpires between these two clubs as they take each other at Santiago Bernabeu next midweek.

April 08, 2023