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Chelsea star Ballack: We blew it in Turkey but we should still win at home
03 April 2008
But as Avram's Grant side vowed to put matters right at Stamford Bridge after their 2-1 defeat here, Fenerbahce's hero of the hour, East End lad Colin Kazim-Richards has being hailed as an important player for the future for both Fenerbahce and Turkey.
Two superb second-half goals from substitute Kazim-Richards and Brazilian Deivid came after Chelsea had seemingly been in complete control following a 13th-minute own goal from Deivid.
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False dawn: Ballack, centre, celebrates after Chelsea's opener but the Turkish side were to hit back with two goals of their own
Ballack conceded: "It was our fault. It's very disappointing when you have everything in your hands and you throw it away. It should not happen but it did and we have to put a line under it. We should win at home."
The German star accepts Chelsea now have a mountain to climb.
He added: "Fenerbahce never give up, we saw that against Sevilla. They can score goals away because sometimes they attack with seven or eight players, with players from midfield.
"I feel both disappointment and frustration because the game was taken out of our hands. We played well at the beginning and up to half-time and it should have been a comfortable win for us. It was a long ball, we didn't concentrate for one second and it was 1-1 and it changed the game."
VIDEO: How Turkish TV viewed last night's match
Didier Drogba was left cursing himself after missing a series of chances. He said: "It's a very disappointing result but I hope and believe we can still go through. At least we created a lot of chances, which shows what is possible for the second leg."
Ballack had nothing but praise for substitute Kazim-Richards, the 21-year-old former Brighton and Sheffield United player. He said. "He was good and strong, a very powerful player when they felt they had to change something."
The 2-1 result was sweet for London-born Kazim-Richards, who was at Sheffield United until the end of last season before moving to Fenerbahce just after he won his first Turkey cap.
"He will contribute a lot to Fenerbahce and the Turkish national team," said Fenerbahce boss Zico. "Colin is getting used to the team and our play slowly. He is a quality player.
"When he can handle the adapting problems he has had he will be a great asset. That is what I'm trying to help him with."
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