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Angel Frank Lampard, the star of London, stated that in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals "it's still not completely clear."
The Englishman, who scored two goals yesterday, assured journalists that despite the 4-2 victory in London yesterday, "Chelsea" will have a tough battle in the return leg in Munich.
"They are a strong, well-organized team with world-class players, and Michael Ballack has already proven his worth by earning an 11-meter penalty and converting it," said the English national team player. "In Munich, he will definitely cause us a lot of problems."
"We saw what 'Bayern' did to 'Arsenal,' so it's still not completely clear," Lampard didn't underestimate his opponents.
In the Champions League round of sixteen, Munich's "Bayern" defeated another London club, "Arsenal," in the English capital by 3-1, advancing with a total score of 3-2 to the next stage.
"Bayern" coach Felix Magath also has no intention of giving up: "Formerly suspended Martin Demichelis will play in the return leg, and if the injured Roy Makaay and Claudio Pizarro return, I believe we can progress further."
Magath also mentioned that the "Bayern" defenders couldn’t handle "Chelsea" striker Didier Drogba: "We had a lot of problems with Drogba - we couldn't manage to contain him. Otherwise, our defense is good, so I hope this won't happen again."
After the match, Lampard expressed his disappointment with conceding a goal in the last minute of extra time: "A two-goal lead is not bad, but three would have been better."
In these matches, "Chelsea" was led by assistant coaches Baltemar Brito and Steve Clarke, as head coach Jose Mourinho is suspended for two matches.
"Before the match, Jose predicted what would happen, gave us instructions, explained the strategy, leaving room for changes during the match," commented Brito on the absence of the head coach.
However, a new scandal seems to be brewing - during the halftime break, television cameras caught "Chelsea's" fitness coach, Portuguese Rui Faria, sitting with a woolen hat covering his ears. This Portuguese man often communicated with S. Clarke during the match, raising suspicions that he was relaying instructions from Jose Mourinho through mobile or other means. UEFA stated that they intend to investigate this incident, but a lack of concrete evidence may hinder the investigation. If Mourinho's guilt is proven, the Portuguese coach could face strict sanctions.
(Photo by GettyImages: Rui Faria, sitting first from the left, wore a black woolen hat throughout the match)
