‘We shouldn’t lose this game’ – Lampard reacts to Valencia defeat | OneFootball

Frank Lampard tasted defeat in his first Champions League game as Chelsea boss, with the Blues slipping to a 1-0 loss at home to Valencia tonight.

Chelsea were dealt a blow early on when in-form youngster Mason Mount was forced off injured and the first period in what was a tight and cagey affair.

Spain international Rodrigo would put the La Liga outfit ahead in the 72nd minute after some questionable marking from the home side.

However, Chelsea were then handed a lifeline when they were awarded a penalty after Fikayo Tomori’s header was handled in the area. After a dispute between midfielders Ross Barkley and Willian over who would take the spot-kick, the England international stepped up and hit his effort over the bar.

Speaking after the game Lampard backed Barkley after his crucial penalty miss and urged his side to learn from the defeat and bounce back ahead of this weekends Premier League clash with Liverpool.

“We shouldn’t lose the game. Clearly. At least not lose it,” Lampard told BT Sport.

”We had a fair few chances. And then the penalty, which we miss. We have to keep our heads up. There is a long way to go. It is a lesson. Teams at this level can hurt you.”

“Ross is a penalty taker and is when he starts games. He took it and missed it. It is a great story to say there is contention between players. If he scores it is not a story. But he took it and missed. That is it. The disappointment to all of us is that we didn’t get chance to win the game. There is no issue in the dressing room.”

“I saw Liverpool lost tonight. This is the Champions League and there are tough games. There will be bumps in the road for us with the youth we have and changes we are trying to make. But we need to be strong and be ready with Liverpool here at the weekend.”

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