Frank Lampard has admitted that a 3-0 thrashing at home to Bayern Munich in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie was a reality check for how far behind the European elite the Blues now find themselves.
Lampard captained the Chelsea side that beat Bayern on home soil in the 2012 final, but the gulf between the teams that has emerged in recent years was in full evidence at Stamford Bridge.
Serge Gnabry’s quickfire double early in the second half was just reward for Bayern’s dominance of the first 45 minutes when only some poor finishing and Chelsea goalkeeper Willy Caballero kept the hosts in the game.
Robert Lewandowski then added the final blow 14 minutes from time with his 11th Champions League goal of the season.
“Sometimes you have to brutally honest about it,” said Lampard.
“They outclassed us in pretty much every department. It’s quite sobering.
“Am I surprised? I think we could have done more. They showed the level of team they are, hence why they challenge at the top of the Bundesliga and the Champions League year in, year out.”
Chelsea remain in pole position to qualify for the Champions League again next season as they sit fourth in the Premier League.
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