Chelsea manager Frank Lampard takes his maiden managerial bow in the UEFA Champions League when the Blues host La Liga outfit Valencia on Tuesday night and he has vowed to help his team with their concentration.
Lampard appeared in the competition in the Blues colours over 100 times, winning the coveted trophy in 2012 and he is relishing the prospect of managing Chelsea in the Champions League for the first time, Soccernet.ng reports.
Chelsea defeated Wolves 5-2 at the weekend with Tammy Abraham netting a fine hat trick with both Fikayo Tomori and Mason Mount completing the rout but the Chelsea legend has warned that the Champions League is different.
Lampard reveals he has got plans to speak to his squad about the challenges of playing in the competition.
“It is different in its nature,” said Lampard. “The main thing that I found as a player was your concentration and focus levels, throughout every game, have to be absolutely spot on.
“That’s not to say you can get away with things in the Premier League but the higher level of player in the Champions League, the different style of games can sometimes surprise you.
“The trouble for this game, Valencia are fantastic on the counter-attack and can hurt you in one second when you think you’re controlling the game. That focus throughout would be the main point.”
There has recently been a change of managers at Valencia as Albert Celades was appointed after the shock sacking of Marcelino, a decision that has reportedly not gone down well with the team’s senior players.
Lampard however remained focused on his team and how to get his youngsters to handle a dangerous opponent on the night.
“I’m aware of what’s going on but at the same time it doesn’t affect our approach,” said Lampard.
“We’re going up against a team that has fantastic quality. What I will say is my experience of moments like this, generally it makes the group tighter as players.
“Sometimes it can be a positive as much as a negative on the pitch.”
