Lampard - JT will bounce back

Blues midfielder voices support after penalty heartache

By James Dall   Last updated: 22nd May 2008

John Terry Chelsea penalty miss Champions League final

Terry: A broken man

John should have no worries because he is the strongest man I have met in football - one of the best men in football. An honest man.

Frank Lampard on John Terry
Quotes of the week

Related links

News

Report

Gallery

Teams

Players

Also see

Frank Lampard is backing Chelsea team-mate John Terry to come back stronger from the psychological blow of missing a crucial penalty in the UEFA Champions League final.

Wednesday evening's showpiece in Moscow, which was dripped in drama and incident, went to penalties after Lampard had cancelled out Cristiano Ronaldo's opener.

Terry was poised to wrap up a historic triumph for The Blues after Ronaldo had seen his spot-kick saved by goalkeeper Petr Cech.

However, the Chelsea skipper lost his footing upon striking his penalty with his effort clattering off the post.

Nicolas Anelka then saw his strike saved by shot-stopper Edwin van der Sar as United were crowned champions of Europe on a thrilling night, which also saw Didier Drogba dismissed in extra-time, at the Luzhniki Stadium.

Agony

Lampard, though, is positive that Terry, who looked inconsolable after Chelsea's defeat, will bounce back from his disappointment.

"It is difficult because I know how it feels and there is not much you can say," he told Sky Sports News.

"I just told him that it was a game a football and he was man enough to stand up and take it - but that won't do him much good hearing that at the moment.

"John should have no worries because he is the strongest man I have met in football - one of the best men in football. An honest man.

"He slipped and missed. It doesn't change anything for me. He is still the first person I want next to me in my team."

Assistant manager Steve Clarke was also full of support for Terry, and had not doubts that he would emerge a tougher individual in the future.

"There is no blame. Everybody steps forward to take a penalty; he slipped and missed it," said Clarke.

"He is a strong character, and he will come back from this stronger."

Rio support

United defender Rio Ferdinand, meanwhile, also felt for his England compatriot, adding: "Obviously I am happy that we won but you always have a thought in the back of your mind for what happens to the other team.

"JT is a good friend and you don't want to see anyone miss a penalty like that. But someone has got to win and someone has to lose. Luckily for us, it was us."