FRANK LAMPARD revealed the reason behind his “simple” tactics in his nightmare return to Chelsea.
The club legend returned to the Stamford Bridge dugout to replace Graham Potter until the end of the season.
However, it has not worked out as planned for the ex-midfielder – with three defeats from three so far.
He has tried a variety of formations and shapes but to no avail as of yet.
But Lampard explained his thoughts ahead of tonight’s must-win clash with Real Madrid.
He told BT Sport: “This two-week period that we’ve come into has been challenging, so you do everything you can in terms of preparation and meeting.
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“Simple might not be the idea, but you try not to overcomplicate it, but the biggest thing then is to implement it with energy, desire and passion that these nights demand.”
Lampard opted for a defensive-minded line-up to face the 14-time European champions tonight.
That included a back five and three holding midfielders behind Conor Gallagher and Kai Havertz.
Fans at home slammed the decisions, highlighting the need for Chelsea to score at least twice to even force extra-time in this Champions League quarter-final second leg.
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One Blues supporter tweeted: “This is the worst Chelsea team I’ve seen in my entire life.”
A second wrote: “Wow Chelsea are trying to draw this game 0-0. Most negative team I’ve ever seen.”
A third commented: “Considering the circumstance (2-0 down) and the players at his disposal this is genuinely shocking.”
A fourth said: “5 defenders 4 midfielders 1 false 9 on the pitch. As a Chelsea fan you always believe when it comes to must win European match. I genuinely have no faith at all today.”
But defender Wesley Fofana is confident Chelsea can cause an almighty upset – because of the man in the dugout and the fans around the pitch.
The £70million former Leicester defender said: “Frank is a legend, he knows the club and the fans.
“He understands the identity of Chelsea and when he talks in the meetings, you listen, because he knows.
“He played football at the very top, his career is immense.
“When he talks, he says to play for the badge, for the fans all over the world.
“These are good words because you’re thinking, ‘It’s real, it’s true.'”
Fofana added the Blues supporters can have a “70 per cent” influence tonight.
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He said: “When the fans push you, you feel invincible.
“But after that it is up to the players. It is everyone together and we can qualify for the next round, for sure.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
