Chelsea star aims ‘tactical leap’ dig at Lampard
Marcos Alonso has given Frank Lampard a kicking by claiming Chelsea “took a leap tactically” when Thomas Tuchel replaced him as manager at Stamford Bridge.
Lampard was sacked by the Blues in January of last year, before Tuchel took charge and led the team to Champions League glory.
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Lampard’s dismissal was a controversial one at the time, with many fans still siding with the Chelsea legend.
But Tuchel’s success since has removed any doubt that it was the right move, and Alonso has been one of the main beneficiaries of the change, having slipped out of contention under Lampard.
Alonso explained Tuchel’s role in guiding Chelsea to glory last season in an interview with AS: “We were a very balanced team. In these close qualifiers, the little details make the difference.
“We were a team in every way. We defended very well, we were an uncomfortable team to play with, we defended all eleven and the small details made the difference.
“At this point in the Champions League everything is very even and it depends on very small details.”
Alonso fell out with Lampard after he was hooked at half-time in a 3-3 draw away at West Brom, and the left-back moved to explain the situation earlier this year: “I was not happy, of course, with how the game went and everything, but it was not any intention to do that (storm out).
“I spoke to my team-mates straight afterwards, if someone felt offended or something. But everyone was okay.
“The manager didn’t take it well but I explained everything that happened. He thought I left before the end of the game but I told him no.”
And now, 14 months on from Lampard’s departure from the club, Alonso has aimed a dig at his former boss.
Speaking about Tuchel, Alonso said: “Since he arrived, the team took a leap tactically and when it came to defending. We are very happy with it.”
Chelsea continue the defence of their Champions League crown as they take on Real Madrid in the quarter-finals next month, having beaten the La Liga giants in the semi-finals last season.
Alonso added: “We already showed last year what we are capable of. It’s a different year, another moment, but we’re facing two great teams and we’ll try to give everything to reach the semi-finals.
“I think there are no favourites. At this point, any team is complicated and it will be a beautiful and difficult tie for sure.”
