Frank Lampard delivers ‘special’ Chelsea verdict on Real Madrid, Ancelotti, Kroos, Modric & Benzema

Frank Lampard has warned his Chelsea side ahead of their ‘special’ Champions League quarter-final tie against Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.

Chelsea head into the second leg two goals down on aggregate after a 2-0 defeat at the Bernabeu last Wednesday, which saw Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio net, and Ben Chilwell get sent off.

Lampard’s side are huge underdogs and Real Madrid, the current holders, are in a commanding position to book their spot in the semi-finals to continue their title defence.

The Chelsea caretaker boss will accept whatever the outcome will be but knows his side will ‘give it a good go’ in the capital to push Real to the absolute limit.

“I know they have the capacity to really give this a good go and we must get our game right and be better than we were last week,” Lampard told reporters.

Real Madrid have a team full of stars who Chelsea need to be mindful of as they look to get themselves back into the tie. Lampard pointed out a few and knows the Blues will need be at their highest level to match a ‘special’ Real side man-for-man on Tuesday.

Ahead of the clash, the 44-year-old said: “I don’t know the exact Real Madrid story from inside but to look from the outside they have a great coach who I understand very well from working with him. He needs to take full credit in this moment because their run to the final last year was amazing resilience that he led.

“What’s very visible from the outside is a core of players that have been there a very long time playing at the highest level year after year. They have the talent, work ethic and leadership skills that drive the group as I see it. I’m talking obviously about Modric, Kroos and Benzema and others. They have a very good recipe for a team that will be successful over a period of time.

“They also have individual talent that can win a game at any moment whether in control or without control, and I think those special players at the top of the pitch can be absolutely crucial to success at this level, and they have those.”

Chelsea almost overcame a 3-1 first leg when they face Real Madrid last season in the quarter-finals. They went 3-0 up at the Bernabeu in the second leg, but Real managed to claw the game back to take it into extra-time and progress which saw them go onto win the competition.

Kepa Arrizabalaga highlighted the possibility of Chelsea causing a huge upset, stating: “The situation last year in the Bernabeu, we were winning 3-0. It’s obviously not easy, it was a dream. We didn’t go through in the end but it shows we can do it.

“After the first leg last year it also seemed like a lost cause and it was not easy. We have to do things properly, step by step. Not thinking about trying to win 4-0, doing things right. They have different skills in every part of the pitch that can change the match.”