Frank Lampard reveals message to Chelsea squad after Real Madrid loss

In Wednesday’s opening game against Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals, Chelsea fell to a 2-0 defeat.

Chelsea interim manager Frank Lampard has told his squad to not lose hope against Real Madrid, insisting ‘special things can happen at Stamford Bridge’.

The Blues lost 2-0 in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final contest. They played the final 31 minutes with 10 men after Ben Chilwell’s red card. Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio scored for Real Madrid, leaving Chelsea with a daunting task for next Tuesday’s second leg at home.

“I think it’s a big challenge, of course, against a team with the quality of Real Madrid,” Lampard said after the final whistle in Spain.

“But the door is open and it’s up to us whether we want to kick it open further next week or not.

“The result is the reality. I’ve just said to the players ‘special things can happen at Stamford Bridge.’ They are a very good team but we have to believe.”

The Madrid loss also marked the fourth straight game Chelsea had gone without scoring a goal.