Former legendary midfielder for Chelsea and current-day manager for the Blues, Frank Lampard has accepted that German champions, Bayern Munich are favorites to win the clash of UEFA Champions League round of 16 fixture’s first leg. However, the manager remained optimistic about the chances of Chelsea winning if they are at their best. Chelsea will host the German Champions at Stamford Bridge in the first game among the two.
The former English midfielder said:
“When you look at their team, the talent they have, the medals they have, the experience they have…maybe we don’t have that experience.
“But it’s there to turn it around; to overcome being the underdog. Those are the best stories in sport. I understand if people call us the underdogs because Bayern are so strong.”
However, the Chelsea manager knows about what it takes to remove the underdog title. The English player was the part of Chelsea’s squad when it defeated the Bundesliga champions on penalties at Allianz Arena on penalties in 2012. Moreover, the gap between the clubs have widened with regard to quality and standards. However, Chelsea’s youth squad have the potential and the team has defeated Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham Hotspurs with a scoreline of 2-1 on Saturday before coming to the Champions League fixture.
On one side, Stamford Bridge hasn’t been the fortress for Chelsea in the 2019-20 season. Whereas, in 11 meetings, Bayern Munich have won 10 games at Stamford Bridge. Talking about the threats possessed by the strike force of Bayern and sensational season being enjoyed by Robert Lewandowski, Frank said:
” Concern isn’t the word. Form of his life is something significant for him because he has been some player for a number of years.”
“He is just top class, everything about him, having looked at Bayern, that shines through.”
Lampard on facing Lewandowski: "Concern isn't the word. Form of his life is something significant for him because he has been some player for a number of years."
"He is just top class, everything about him, having looked at Bayern, that shines through." #CFC #UCL
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) February 24, 2020
The Polish striker has racked up 38 goals in just 32 matches this season for the German champions and is a strike away from having the most prolific career in his Champions League history. Robert Lewandowski is a major threat to any side and Chelsea is no other exception.
M A T C H D A Y !
Chelsea v Bayern Munich. @ChampionsLeagueCOME ON YOU BLUES! 💪#CHEBAY pic.twitter.com/Wde30RClTh
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) February 25, 2020
However, Frank Lampard is relishing the underdog status for Chelsea and is hoping for an upset. Can Chelsea pullback a major upset at Stamford Bridge or the underdogs will be thrashed by Bavarians? Voice your opinions below.
