Michael Ballack says Chelsea blew it in Istanbul

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

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, predicted the Turkish side will complete a huge upset in next Tuesday's return.

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.

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."

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."