Source: PA
Lampard: Champions League is Holy Grail
Frank Lampard admits the Champions League has become the "Holy Grail" for both himself and Chelsea as he revealed his desperation finally to land club football's biggest prize.
The Blues came within one penalty kick of ending their quest two and a half years ago when they were beaten by Manchester United in the final in Moscow.
England midfielder Lampard, whose equaliser that night ensured a shootout, has also been on the losing side in four semi-finals in the past seven years. And despite having won three Premier League titles, three FA Cups and two League Cups over the same period, the 32-year-old insists his medal collection will not be complete until he adds a Champions League gold.
"I have won three leagues and quite a lot of the group have won one or more," Lampard told Chelsea TV's Icons Christmas special. "But we have been so close to the Champions League, it does become a bit of a Holy Grail and I think the fans feel that.
"I would never ever go into a season without the first thing on my mind being the Premier League. To win domestically is the biggest thing for me but I don't want to finish my career with five Champions League semi-finals and a final but with no medal.
"It is huge but it is such a difficult competition to win. Every year, you play group games before Christmas and you start again in February and you might have injuries or you might be losing form. We played Inter Milan last year at a time when we were down, so there are so many little bits that have to come together for you to win it and that is what we are waiting for, that final little bit that we have missed."
