Lampard: Who’d have thought we’d make the final after Napoli defeat

Posted Friday, May 18, 2012 by The Sun

Lampard: Who’d have thought we’d make the final after Napoli defeat
GISSA CUDDLE ... Frank Lampard and Roberto Di Matteo after Napoli KO

FRANK LAMPARD looked back three months to Chelsea’s miserable defeat in Naples and admitted: “I don’t think any of us that night thought we would be where we are now.”

Lampard was dumped on the subs’ bench against the Italians — axed by former boss Andre Villas-Boas — and the Blues were beaten 3-1 in the first leg of their last-16 tie.

It was a loss which went a long way towards sealing the fate of young AVB. Two games later he was gone.

By the time the return leg came, Roberto Di Matteo was in place as emergency boss.

Lampard was restored to the team and scored a crucial penalty as Napoli were spectacularly dispatched 4-1.

After that, the Londoners accounted for Benfica and the mighty Barcelona.

And tomorrow evening, in Munich’s Allianz Arena, Chelsea could complete the remarkable journey from laughing stock to kings of Europe.

Lampard, 33, scratched his head and smiled as he tried to make sense of it all. He admitted: “We were struggling in Naples, you could see that.

“You wouldn’t have looked ahead of yourselves and seen this now. You’re experienced enough to know things can change. But, on that night, I don’t think any one of us thought it.

“We were despondent in the dressing room afterwards and it took a big effort in the three weeks between the games to turn things around.

“The home game was a massive turning point in our season — in fact, the major turning point in our season.

“But we always knew as a group we had the quality.”

So was the time when he was not playing under AVB his lowest ebb as a Chelsea player?

Lampard replied: “Possibly. Maybe it was one of the lower times, yet you learn through these things.

“I knew I wouldn’t play 160 games consecutively all the time. But it was a tough time for me when I wasn’t in the team — and frustrating.

“I sat back occasionally and got the hump indoors but I tried to carry on working hard and, in the end, it has turned around for me personally.

“Not quite to the full extent yet, though. Maybe if we win the final.” Lampard, who will lead out Chelsea against Bayern in the absence of the suspended John Terry, is one of those who suffered in the Champions League final in Moscow four years ago — losing on penalties to Manchester United.

It is a defeat which has gnawed away at the club and cost a number of managers their jobs, as they have failed to land the biggest trophy of all.

Lampard revealed: “I wouldn’t say I’ve been thinking about this final every minute of the day.

“But it has occupied my mind and, I’m sure, everyone’s mind — especially considering the season we’ve had.

“We were pretty unfancied to get this far. Against Napoli and then when we were drawn against Barcelona, people wouldn’t have fancied us.

“When you don’t see it coming, the fact you are there is even more enjoyable.

“We’ve enjoyed the feeling of beating the best, because Barcelona have certainly been the best for a long time.

“Yet we’re clever enough to know that, if you lose the final, people soon forget the semis and the quarters.” Having KO’d Barcelona, it is tempting to think Bayern will be much easier.

But Lampard knows it is always difficult where the Germans are concerned.

He declared: “I have huge respect for German teams. I grew up being frustrated by them as an England fan. You know how tough they are in certain situations.”

Lampard laughed when asked if this was a last shot at the Champions League trophy for him and other oldies like Didier Drogba.

He said: “Every year we get asked the same questions. Is this the year and how inspired are you by the failures of years before?

“Every year it becomes even more the year to do it and the fact we are in the final is a great incentive. It would certainly be Chelsea’s best-ever feat, especially as we have four players out who have been some of our best performers of the season.

“I think of all my successes and failures and sometimes the failures stick in your head as much as the wins.

“I was probably more vocal than I’ve ever been in Barcelona because it was such a ‘backs to the wall’ contest.

“This time I’ll try and be vocal, too. I’ll try and lead by example.

“Will it be my proudest moment? Yes, possibly. I would love to win it. Yet I’ve said before, even if we don’t win it I’d have no regrets looking back.

“I’m very proud of the career I’ve had here. I’ve been very lucky to be at a great club and win a lot of things. But in terms of the full set on the table, this would be it.”

Chelsea will not take part in the tournament at all next season if they lose in Germany, having finished only sixth in the Premier League.

But Lampard claimed that would not be the over-riding consideration when the players run out in the stadium.

He insisted: “That’s a sideshow. It’s in the back of our minds but not the overall issue. The game and what it means on the day is the first thought.”