Chelsea interim manager Frank Lampard has stated that he’s opportune and grateful to be managing in the UEFA Champions League. The former midfielder was appointed last week to take charge of the team till the end of the season before the club decides and employs a permanent manager.

Lampard will take charge of a UEFA Champions League again on Wednesday when they travel to Santiago Bernabeu to face host Real Madrid in the first leg of the quarter-final tie. It is the second time he will coach in the UEFA Champions League after his first stint in charge of the Blues between 2019 and 2021.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to manage in the Champions League for two seasons. As a player, it was always the special competition, so to be here as a manager – particularly when a week ago today I didn’t know I’d be here – is a huge honor, and a big part of my thought process of taking on the challenge here. It’s an amazing challenge for me personally, as well as obviously for us as a team and a club. I’m really looking forward to the occasion myself.” Lampard said.

Frank Lampard’s first game on his return as a caretaker manager was a 1-0 loss to Wolves at Molineux Stadium in the Premier League at the weekend.

However, the stakes are higher for Chelsea, who must get a favorable result in the first leg if they want to progress to the next stage of the only competition that they can still win this season.

The Blues are in 11th position on the table and have already been knocked out of the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup.

Fortunately for Chelsea, they have the opportunity of fielding midfielder Ngolo Mason Mount and defender Thiago Silva who are all available after missing a 1-0 loss to Wolves at the weekend in the Premier League.

Real Madrid will be hoping to bounce back from their 3-2 loss to Villarreal at home at the weekend in La Liga.

Daniel Ademiju Idowu