Frank Lampard raises Chelsea memory as Coventry City plot Sunderland revenge | OneFootball

Coventry City head to the Stadium of Light for their second leg

History has taught Frank Lampard that Coventry City’s return leg at the Stadium of Light on Wednesday is no Mission Impossible.

As the Sky Blues boss prepares his squad for what should be a white-hot night on Wearside, he does so against a backdrop of lived experience, both as a player and manager.

While Eliezer Mayenda’s late strike gave the advantage to the Black Cats following last Friday’s 2-1 win in the opening skirmish, Lampard knows the tie is far from over.

As a player, he referenced a Champions League tie between Chelsea and Liverpool that almost slipped from the Blues’ grasp.

Chelsea memories inspiring Coventry City and Frank Lampard

Back in 2009, the Chelsea had established a firm grip on their quarter-final following a 3-1 win at Anfield.

However, goals from Fabio Aurelio and Xabi Alonso turned proceedings on their head before first Didier Drogba, then Alex and a couple of late goals from Lampard himself ensured safe passage following a heart-stopping 4-4 draw.

And, as a manager, he has the more recent memories of a second leg six years ago where Leeds United looked home and dry before a collapse of seismic proportions led to them losing to Lampard’s Derby County.

He said to FLW's Neil Moxley: “I’ve been in football long enough to know that it’s never done until it’s done - that goes both ways.

“I remember being 3-1 up at Chelsea, playing Liverpool in the Champions League and they scored two to go 3-3 at Stamford Bridge.

“The game changed completely. At Derby when we went to Leeds we actually went two-down in the tie because we lost the first game 1-0 and went one down at Elland Road.

“So, there’s so many things to talk about. The fact is, the game is still there and we know exactly what’s in front of us.

“We don’t know how the game will look, however. What Sunderland will do.

“But you have to play the game that’s in front of you. It is there for us.

“I’m not thinking about the consequence. We just have to do the things that are right.”

A huge night at the Stadium of Light awaits

It is set up for a climactic night at the Stadium of Light and Lampard understands that if the Sky Blues are to complete a dramatic transformation, that they need to cut out the errors that cost them dear.

He added: “Sunderland are a really good team at this level. But we have intent at the top of the pitch and we controlled a lot of the game in the first leg.

“And to lose as we did was not ideal - but it’s better than being played off the park.

"We know we played pretty well. We know we can do better.

“And it’s exciting for the players. We could be on the beach now, like some other teams. We’re not, we’re going to the second leg of a play-off semi-final.

“We’re going to the Stadium of Light. A fantastic stadium, with a really good fanbase who support their team. It’s what we’re in the game for. You can’t always play in front of your home fans.

“To go into that environment should be an inspiration for us. To show what we can do on the pitch. That’s what’s in front of us. We’re prepped. The lads are good to go.”