Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard admitted that winning the UEFA Champions League trophy was the main aim of 'The Blues' this season. Since Chelsea’s emergence as one of the top sides in the English Premier League after Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich took over, the European Cup is one trophy the London side has been unable to win.
Abramovich brought in Jose Mourinho to Stamford Bridge because of his Champions League win with Porto FC; however, Mourinho was unable to get the “One” trophy that the Chelsea owner desired. Nevertheless, he did win back-to-back Premier League titles and domestic cups. When he left the club unexpectedly, mid-season, his replacement Avram Grant took the side agonizingly close to the European trophy in 2008.
Ironically, the final was held in Moscow, where 'The Blues' took on Premier League rivals Manchester United. The match was very close and ended as a draw, going into penalties after the extra time. Chelsea skipper John Terry had the opportunity to win it for his side; however, unfortunately, the former England captain slipped and missed the penalty. Hence, United won it, completing the treble that season.
Regardless, Frank Lampard could be credited for taking the match to as far as it went; he equalized for his side and was brilliant throughout the match. However, it was out of his hands when it came down to penalties. The England midfielder has missed the opportunity of lifting the trophy on several occasions, having reached four semi finals with Chelsea in the past seven years, an impressive feat.
The 32-year-old Chelsea midfielder revealed that the Champions League had become somewhat an obsession for himself and the club. He admitted that it was his aim to win it with the Blues. He said, “I have won three leagues and quite a lot of the group have won one or more. But we have been so close to the Champions League, it does become a bit of a Holy Grail and I think the fans feel that.”
However, Lampard revealed that the Premier League is still a top priority for Ancelotti’s side, which is currently at 5th place in the Premier League table. He added, “I would never ever go into a season without the first thing on my mind being the Premier League. To win domestically is the biggest thing for me but I don't want to finish my career with five Champions League semi-finals and a final but with no medal.”
Lampard also went on to speak about last season when 'The Blues' tasted defeat, in the Champions League, at the hands of former manager Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan. Mourinho eventually went on to win the European competition, along with the league and the domestic cup. He said, he believed, Chelsea could have won their first Champions League trophy, had they not lost to Inter Milan.
He said, “Look at us in the league last year. We were on a run at the end, beating teams by six or seven goals and if we could have translated that into the Champions League last year, if we had got through those Inter Milan game and gone on and played the way we were playing at the end of the season, I think we would have won the Champions League.”
So far, 'The Blues' have had a decent run in the Champions League, a big contrast to their form in the domestic league. Despite a few setbacks, Chelsea finished atop their group, not losing a single game. They now face FC Copenhagen in the round of 16 and on paper, Chelsea are the favourites. ‘The Blues’ win seems inevitable, but the Champions League fixtures can be very unpredictable. Ancelotti’s side will have to be in top form if they intend on finally winning the coveted European trophy.