Chelsea face a pair of games that could define their season as they face Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals. The Blues will be hopeful that their European adventure isn't stopped short of a third title as a much welcomed break from Premier League action.
The west London outfit currently sit 11th in the division and without a huge turnaround in form, they look likely to miss out on continental football next season. They can still qualify through winning the Champions League though, but have a tough route in doing so.
"I am not sure," interim manager Frank Lampard responded when quizzed why Chelsea were faring better in Europe than in the league. "I understand the question, if you isolate this year as well. I think there have been challenges this year and the Premier League is also one of the greatest challenges in world football.
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"It’s tough week in, week out and those challenges have obviously taken us to a place where we don’t want to be as Chelsea Football Club. The Champions League sometimes offers you a bit of escapism from that.
"Different speed of the game, knockout football, those things can all contribute to getting different success in the same season. I think when you get to this stage of the competition, you’re playing teams of the level of Real… Now those comparisons are pretty worthless."
While Real Madrid are favourites to make their way into the semi-finals, knockout competitions can throw up all sorts of surprises. Ahead of the game, a former teammate of Lampard's, Florent Malouda, believes the Blues can make their way past Los Blancos and have a clear path to victory.
He told ICE 36: "Go into the game with a positive mindset. Chelsea can do it. That would be my message to the players, just do it!"
Malouda was then drawn on past experiences in the Champions League with the club, believing that the side working as a unit could win.
"Like I mentioned, I can remember when we were playing against Barcelona or Bayern Munich, Chelsea is a dangerous team when they play like a unit," he added. "If you’re trying to go one-on-one it will be difficult because they are a better side than Chelsea, they are more confident and have more experience, but as a unit, with the Chelsea spirit, we can beat anyone.
"When I spoke about going back to basics, this is the Chelsea identity for me, regardless of the generation, this has always been the identity - working hard, hard to beat, quality across the pitch. If you bring that organisation and unity to your performance, the fans will always support you and that is how players and fans can share special nights together."
Chelsea fans will be hoping Malouda is right to be upbeat about their chances and will be keen for the tie to not be already beyond the when they converge on Stamford Bridge for the second leg on April 18.
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