SM
Everton vs. Liverpool: 4 hrs 26 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
CL
Champions League | Round of 16
Feb 25, 2020 at 8pm UK
 
BL

0-3

 
FT(HT: 0-0)
Gnabry (51', 54'), Lewandowski (76')

Frank Lampard admits Chelsea are seen as underdogs in Bayern Munich tie

:Headline: Frank Lampard admits Chelsea are seen as underdogs in Bayern Munich tie: ID:390771: from db_amp
The Blues face the Bundesliga leaders in the Champions League last-16 first leg on Tuesday night.

Frank Lampard has told Chelsea to turn the current European order on its head against Bayern Munich.

Lampard has accepted many will brand Chelsea underdogs when hosting the buoyant Bundesliga leaders in the Champions League last-16 first leg on Tuesday night.

The Blues boss expects a stern challenge from a Bayern side that hammered Tottenham 7-2 in London in October, but has told his players they have the strength to pull off a statement victory.

"I think the underdog talk for a game like this is better to come from outside, from people looking out to in," said Lampard.

"My job is just to prepare the game, look at the opponent and see if we can find weaknesses there. I understand if people do call us the underdog because their team is so strong and they have so much experience.

"But these things change. The underdog is there to change things around. We all love an underdog story and they are some of the best stories in sport."

Lampard won the Champions League when Chelsea edged out Bayern on penalties in 2012, and knows just how tough it is to take on the German giants.

The former England midfielder admitted he will address his young squad specifically about the hike in pressure and quality that comes with top-level knockout football in European competition.

"I've got no doubts about starting any of the young players, I trust in all the players who have been part of the squad this year," said Lampard.

"They've earned trust in the way they've played. It changes slightly when it gets to the knockout stages and I'll speak to all the players about what that means."

“The underdog is there to change things around. We all love an underdog story and they are some of the best stories in sport.”
- Frank Lampard

Chelsea will be without injured trio Christian Pulisic, Callum Hudson-Odoi and N'Golo Kante on Tuesday, but Ruben Loftus-Cheek will be in the match squad.

Loftus-Cheek was an unused replacement in Saturday's 2-1 Premier League win over Tottenham for his first involvement of the campaign, and is accelerating his recovery after a long-term Achilles injury.

"We've got players with Champions League experience in the squad but we've also got young players at the first stages of their careers," said Lampard.

"A big part of my job tomorrow is to explain to the players that over two legs we need to be at our maximum. We need every detail, every box ticked in both games.

"Bayern Munich are an incredible side with the ball. If we have to suffer without the ball we have to suffer, so that's our job over these next two games.

"Bayern are for sure a team that can win the title, when you go through their team and look at the talent and unity within it.

"They are top of the Bundesliga for a reason. It's a club that seems to overcome difficulties. I have huge respect for the club."

Chelsea ended a four-match winless league run with Saturday's derby win over Spurs, with Lampard admitting an honest pre-match meeting set the tone for a battling victory.

"If you look at our recent form in the league, we are playing well, but the most important parts of the game, the final third, scoring goals and making sure we don't concede, we were slightly short," he added.

"The key thing is I was being very honest and it was important that everyone felt the same. The reaction in the meeting and the reaction against Tottenham was spot on.

"What we can't do now is forget what we did against Tottenham. It was a mini-start against Tottenham, but now we need to keep going."

amp_article__390771 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2020-02-24 21:21:19:
html db last update - 2021-02-19 12:11:53 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Frank Lampard

Click here for more stories about Chelsea

Share this article now:
Read more about Frank Lampard Football
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal34245582265677
2Liverpool33228375324374
3Manchester CityMan City32227376324473
4Aston Villa34206871502166
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs32186865491660
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle321551269521750
7Manchester UnitedMan Utd32155124748-150
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham34139125463-948
9Chelsea32138116157447
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton321111105250244
11Wolverhampton WanderersWolves33127144653-743
12Fulham34126165054-442
13Bournemouth33119134860-1242
14Crystal Palace3399154256-1436
15Brentford3498175259-735
16Everton33108153448-1430
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3479184260-1826
18Luton TownLuton3467214775-2825
19Burnley3458213769-3223
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3337233188-5716
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .