Saturday, July 27, 2024

Grieving Lampard back for Chelsea

Frank Lampard returned to the Chelsea team for their Champions League semi-final second leg against Liverpool after mourning the death of his mother.

Lampard missed Saturday's win over Manchester United following his mother Pat's death from pneumonia last Thursday, but the England midfielder trained with his team-mates this week before telling Blues manager Avram Grant he wanted to play at Stamford Bridge.

With Lampard back in midfield alongside Claude Makelele and Michael Ballack, Grant switched Michael Essien to right-back in place of Paulo Ferreira.

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez handed John Arne Riise a chance for redemption after the Norway left-back's own goal gave Chelsea a 1-1 draw in the first leg.

Benitez also sprung a surprise by picking Yossi Benayoun ahead of Ryan Babel on the left-wing.

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