Rampant Bayern gave Chelsea a reality check, says Lampard

Frank Lampard admitted Chelsea were given a “reality check” by Bayern Munich as the Germans pushed hosts to the brink of Champions League elimination with a 3-0 victory in the last 16 first leg on Tuesday.

Serge Gnabry scored twice in three minutes early in the second half and Robert Lewandowski bagged Bayern’s third goal to complete a masterful display from Hansi Flick’s side at Stamford Bridge.

Bayern are odds-on to finish off Chelsea in the second leg in Munich on March 18 after inflicting the Blues’ heaviest European home defeat.

Lampard conceded Chelsea had been outclassed from start to finish and urged his players to learn from the chastening experience.

“That’s football at this level, the levels of Bayern were fantastic. It was a harsh lesson for the players. It’s the reality of the Champions League,” Lampard said.

“If you give people of that quality enough chances they will score goals. There is a lot to their team, players that have been there a long time. We have to respect that. But we weren’t confident on the ball, that was my biggest disappointment, from start to finish.”

It was a night when all of the problems that have dogged Chelsea at times during Lampard’s first season were on display. Chelsea were toothless up front with Lampard’s decision to start Olivier Giroud instead of Tammy Abraham backfiring.

They lacked organisation at the back and drive and creativity in midfield, with a lack of leadership also notable as they lost their heads with the tie slipping away. Jorginho will miss the 2nd leg after earning a needless booking for arguing with the referee, while Marcos Alonso will also be suspended following his late red card for whacking Lewandowski.

Lampard could not hide his frustration and made it clear few of his players came out of the match with any credit.

Agence France-Presse