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Frank Lampard: This feels like a kick in the teeth
James Olley07.05.09
Frank Lampard today described Chelsea's exit as a kick in the teeth' and joined the chorus of disapproval towards referee Tom Henning Ovrebo.
While several Blues players remonstrated with the officials at the final whistle, Lampard exchanged shirts with Barcelona's goalscorer Andres Iniesta but he reflected on several strong penalty claims that were turned down.
“The whole stadium and everyone watching could see we should have had a penalty,” said the midfielder. “We always know the situation — when the goal didn't go in, when clear penalties weren't being given and you know Barcelona have the ability to do anything up until the last moment in the game.
“We are disappointed we didn't take the extra chances but that's football and in the end we have been kicked in the teeth. It depends what people want to make of it but you have to understand that 11 men are trying to get to a final when there are at least three clear penalties not given. I don't think you can really expect grown men to walk off and not say a word, whether it looks bad or not.
“Nothing violent happened, it was just people that are disappointed not to get there and I don't think that questions should be asked too much.
“We are disappointed but we have to be professional. We have to big, stand up and carry on playing. If you don't believe you can win the Champions League one day, there is no point carrying on playing.”
Michael Ballack urged his team-mates to forget about their defeat and take consolation in winning the FA Cup against Everton on 30 May.
The midfielder said: “We showed great character. We played against the top team in Europe — maybe the strongest at the moment — and we deserved to get to the next round.
“Last year we had a really big disappointment that with one penalty we could get the cup. With last night, it came in the 93rd minute and it's unbelievable. Luck is not on our side. Last year there was unbelievable pain and now it's the same.
“The FA Cup is the last possibility to win a trophy this year and we will try everything for sure. We worked hard like in this competition and so we want to win it.”
Reader views (9)
Mark, I was at the game yesterday and saw only disappointed and orderly fans filing away from the ground. Where were these "disgusting" fans you saw? As for the game, I for one thought that Chelsea beat themselves by failing to take the few chances to make the score 2-0 and then "backing off" once Barca went down to 10 men. The referee was poor but had Drogba and Anelka taken their chances when through on goal, the whingers would be begrudging another Chelsea success again today instead. Anyway, everyone but a Chelsea fan got their desired "final" so take a few days off you "Chelsea haters" and get a life.
- Paul, Feltham
Paul- We'll win it, and then again, and again over the years.
And your children, grandchildren and great grandchildren will wear the blue of Chelsea proudly.
Stu- Ha hahahaha too mate, I love a good Euro night out at the Bridge- you should bring your kids along, it's what real football class is about, Barca, Chelsea etc.
The result is what it is, but I also remember what it was like to be as poor as W Ham are- so come on Stuie baby, come down to the Bridge, bring the kids, they'll thank you for it!!
- Fresh, LONDON
You've gotta be in it to win it boys- bottom half of the table year after year won't cut it.
True- some of the players lost the plot, and that was out of order, but they played their hearts out for 2 games against Barca, and last night they had more chances, posed more threat and didn't deserve the useless and unjust ref they got who bottled it at least 3 times.
Anyway, we'll be in it next year. Where will you be? Is there still an Inter Toto Cup? Or will the Icelanic mob be selling the Boleyn off for flats?
- Fresh, LONDON
Fresh - Cheats never prosper, you'll never win it. The whole of Europe saw last night just how low your players will go
- Paul, Cambs
Yeah, that really hurts FRESH. What cutting wit.
Hahahahaaaaa. Again.
- Stu, Beckton
These players set such bad examples, and cannot take the decision of a referee. If the referee is at fault there are channels through which protests can be made. I am amazed how the so called fans pay hundreds of pounds most of them can illafford to watch these players. It shows how ugly the game is. The manager has responsibility and he should exercise it NOW.
- Gary, London
We'll win it when Stevie and Gianfrano have got bored with the mediocrity of West Ham and come home to Chelsea.
Might be worth knicking a couple of decent youngsters also, like we've done before.
- Fresh, LONDON
The behaviour of the players and the fans was disgusting. This just confirms the awful image most people have of the game. What a wonderful example they all set for the thousands of children watching. We can look forward to referees being abused and threatened by amateur players for years to come. Might I suggest that the Chelsea team look up the definition of professional in a dictionary, or maybe Gus Hiddink can read it to them.
- Mark, London
Yeah, we're all really sorry for you Frank. Still, I'm sure you and John can "take it", you just "give some back", don't you?
Hahahahhaaaa.
- Stu, Beckton
