LAMPARD PRAISES NEW BOSS

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has praised the approach of current interim manager Roberto di Matteo, which has led to a resurgence within Chelsea since taking over from Portuguese manager Andre Villas-Boas at the start of March.

Chelsea were really struggling under the Portuguese, who was appointed by Roman Abramovich in the summer. It was quite clear that Andre Villas-Boas had lost the dressing room – especially the senior players within the squad. The appointment of Roberto di Matteo following his sacking, though, has rejuvenated Chelsea. They are now having the possibility of qualifying for the semifinals of the Champions League, which looked improbable only a few weeks ago.

Frank Lampard has credited the recent success within Chelsea to the approach by interim manager Roberto di Matteo, who has taken a different approach when it comes to dealing with players according to Lampard. Lampard was one of the crucial figures during the Andre Villas-Boas reign, but all for the wrong reasons. Lampard was continuously dropped by Andre Villas-Boas without any explanation according to the midfielder. Even though Lampard has not been a regular under Roberto di Matteo, the England midfielder has said that the former West Brom manager at least conveys his decision unlike Andre Villas-Boas.

"Yes, that is fair to say. I spoke with Robbie and certainly had no issue with it. I was delighted to get the result we got. I came on in the last 20 minutes anyway. He has kept it very simple. It's a case of getting a confidence and passion through the team and, in the results we've had, you'd say he has done that," Lampard said in an interview given to the British tabloid Independent. Lampard could feature in the second leg match against Benfica – a tie in which Chelsea lead 1-0 from the first leg.