Lampard on Olympiacos alert
Monday, March 3, 2008
Article summary
Frank Lampard is aware that Olympiacos CFP "will be a danger" as Chelsea FC look to overcome the Greek title-holders to advance to the quarter-finals again.
Article body
Midfielder Frank Lampard warns that Olympiacos CFP "will be a danger" as Chelsea FC look to overcome the Greek title-holders to claim a place in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League.
'Strong'
Olympiacos won away at both S.S. Lazio and Werder Bremen as well as beating the German side and drawing with Real Madrid CF in Athens to reach the knockout phase for the first time in nine years, and Lampard insists the tie is still wide open as Chelsea look to improve on their goalless draw two weeks ago. "I expected a strong performance from Olympiacos," he said. "I know they're a very strong team from their results in the Champions League this year. I think they will be a danger to us at Stamford Bridge.
'Difficult'
"It will be difficult. We defended very comfortably [in the first leg] but we didn't threaten their goal enough. But in Europe sometimes you have to make sure you don't concede first and foremost. Maybe we could have been a bit more of an attacking threat but we weren't and that's why we have to make sure we are very concentrated at home. They play a very strong and compact game and are dangerous on the counterattack so perhaps they are set up to try and come away and nick a goal. It's not over yet."
'Fresh'
Lampard has seen his appearances restricted by injury and only came on as a late substitute in Piraeus as he works his way back from a thigh problem. He did, however, play all 120 minutes of Chelsea's League Cup final loss to Tottenham Hotspur FC but was sent off after scoring against former club West Ham United FC on Saturday and is keen to make up for those disappointments in the UEFA Champions League. "I feel very fresh," he said. "I've got a lot in my legs considering I'm hardly every injured and have been out for three months this season.
'Frustrating'
"It's been very frustrating for me so I don't want to miss any more games. There are a lot of games to come and we'll need everyone fit and available. It's important to have a settled lineup going into a run-in. We've got a big squad and it's the first time we had a chance to have everyone fit for a long time, so hopefully that will be good for us in the run in to the end of the season."
