INTERIM CHELSEA manager Frank Lampard has told his dysfunctional Chelsea players to "believe" in the possibility of beating Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge next week.
The west London club succumbed to another embarrassing defeat in the Champions League last night. Chelsea were beaten 2-0 by the European champions Real Madrid in Spain.
Goals from Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio ensured 'Los Blancos' head to London next week with a comfortable advantage in the tie.
A red card for Chelsea defender Ben Chilwell did not help matters, and his absence will make it even harder for Lampard's team next week.
Despite this, Lampard, who was installed as Chelsea's stand-in manager last week after the dismissal of Graham Potter, has remained optimistic that Chelsea can pull off a shock result in the second leg next week.
"It's a big challenge, of course, a team of the quality of Real Madrid," said Lampard.
🗣️ "It will be different next week."
Frank Lampard wants to change the narrative around Chelsea facing Real Madrid for the second leg pic.twitter.com/s9LuJfLcsf— Football Daily (@footballdaily) April 13, 2023
"The door is open; it's up to us if we want to kick it open further. Mixed emotions about the game. For a period with 11 men, we were in the game; we had some chances. I think we could do better.
"We can utilize our strengths better, especially with the wingbacks; we can be more urgent. Those are things for myself, the staff, and the players to work on. I saw the opportunity there that we didn't quite take.
"The spirit at the end of the game was great - 10 men for half an hour, you understand a lot of things can happen. We have to believe. I have to be the first one to believe this is possible."
Real manager Carlo Ancelotti has sung a similar song to his former player. The Italian admits the "tie is not over yet".
"I'm not exhausted, I'm quite well," said the former Chelsea boss.
"I have tons of energy. But obviously we have to suffer; it's not simple to be on the bench even when you're winning 2-0.
"I'm happy, but we have to be calm, and there's another 90 minutes. In football, anything can happen. We have got to manage it properly and try to repeat the match we had tonight.
"We are satisfied with the result, with the performance. We're satisfied only for tonight. It's not over yet. We know really well Chelsea will try to do everything next week."
Chelsea's game against Brighton starts at 3pm this coming Saturday.
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