UEFA Champions League Preview: Chelsea versus Marseille (Part 1)
The Chelsea manager, Carlo Ancelotti, has confirmed that his top English midfielder Frank Lampard is going to miss the match against Marseille at Stamford Bridge today.
One of the Blues’ top guns, Lampard will also miss England’s Euro 2012 qualification match against Montenegro. The match will take place at Wembley in about a month’s time.
The Italian manager has informed the press that he believes Lampard needs more time to recover from his hernia surgery. Lampard has been hit by a string of injuries that have included his groin, thigh and his calf.
Though he was performing at the start of the season and performing rather brilliantly, it was apparent that he was struggling with some discomfort.
Now the 32 year old world class midfielder has been out of play since a month and according to Ancelotti it is not likely that he will be returning before the international break.
In an interview with media, Ancelotti stated, “Frank cannot play tomorrow. We need to have more time than we expected for his rest. He will be ready for the next game after the international break.”
He continued, “He has not played for us so he will not be able to play for the national team.”
The absence of Lampard will prove to be a real setback for Chelsea after they suffered their first English Premier League defeat this season against Manchester City at Eastlands.
However that is just part of the story as the Blues also lost in midweek against Newcastle United in the Carling Cup.
Chelsea were defeated by Newcastle United 4-3 in a shocker that resulted in their ouster from the tournament.
In the match against Manchester City, Carlos Tevez was the hero as he produced the lone goal of the match for the Eastlands side.
Next weekend they face another test and this time it is from their fierce London rivals from the North.
Against Arsenal, Chelsea will be playing without Lampard, and even Drogba may not be fit enough for the high-profile clash.
However Arsenal will also be without their prized midfielder, Spaniard Cesc Fabregas.
Fortunately for the defending Champions they are still top of the Premier League with a three point lead, closely followed by Manchester United and Arsenal.
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