IT’S A BRIDGE TOO FAR THIS TIME, FRANK
CHELSEA legend Frank Lampard is well aware it will be very different when he returns to Stamford Bridge – his spiritual home – on Wednesday night.
He accepts his slick-passing Derby side won’t have anything like the 80 per cent possession they enjoyed in the opening half an hour at the Riverside.
And he knows hot prospect Mason Mount, who is fit to face his parent club despite picking up a knock on Saturday, and Harry Wilson won’t pick holes in the opposition like they did against Middlesbrough whichever side Maurizio Sarri sends out.
But make no mistake, even with a place in the last eight of the Carabao Cup at stake, Lampard has no plans to park the bus.
“I won’t do that by nature,” said the Derby boss ahead of one of the most emotional nights of his glittering career.
“But we’re going to have to defend for moments in the game like we had to do against Manchester United in the previous round at Old Trafford.”
Lampard spent yesterday at St George’s Park where he’s doing his Pro Licence course and didn’t take in Chelsea’s 4-0 thrashing of Burnley at Turf Moor.
“I’ll record it and watch it later, “he added. “But I’m really impressed with Sarri, both his personality and the way he has them playing.”
The Rams looked a good bet to win when George Friend was hustled into bundling the ball in at the wrong end.
But resilient Boro replied in kind as the Rams’ promising Jayden Bogle sliced a freak own goal.
MIDDLESBROUGH:
Dunkley og Naismith Sharp Garner
MOTM BILLY SHARP (SHEFF UTD)