Chelsea interim boss Frank Lampard leaped to the defence of Raheem Sterling and Joao Felix after the pair were criticised following the Blues’ Champions League quarter-final first leg defeat to Real Madrid.
The Blues face an uphill task to progress to the semi-finals following a 2-0 defeat at the Bernabeu.
Lampard opted for a 3-5-2 formation that saw Felix and Sterling paired in attack.
However, with Madrid dominating, that became more of a 5-3-2 system that left the forwards isolated and unable to lay a glove on the Spaniards.
Kai Havertz was dropped in order to play the more speedy duo of Felix and Sterling, with Lampard keen to hit Madrid on the break.
But Chelsea struggled to get out in the first half and their task was made even harder when Ben Chilwell was sent off before the hour-mark.
Lampard, though, said Felix and Sterling did all they could during a ‘difficult’ match for the pair.
‘I think the game for Raheem and Joao Felix was a tough match,’ said Lampard.
‘In the system that we played, defensively they had to put in a lot of work and their man threat can sometimes be counter-attack or protecting the ball.
‘And it was a difficult night for us I think at the top-end of the pitch.
‘But Joao is a big talent, as is Raheem.
‘So I’m not here to criticise or comment too much. We’ll go away and analyse that side of it.’
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