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Former Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard is optimistic and draws positive lessons despite the loss of his European Super Cup team to Liverpool compatriot 4-5 on penalties after a match 2-2 draw at the end of the extra-time on Wednesday in Istanbul.
"I think we can be better," said Chelsea legend "There are areas where I want to evolve in terms of progressive play, but I'm happy with the performance."
"The defeat of the match was disappointing, but if our performance (against Liverpool) reflects what will be Chelsea's season, things will be fine."
"It is clear that we performed well against a team formed six years ago. I am a new coach who has been in the reserve only for six weeks. "
Chelsea opened the scoring with French striker Olivier Giroud (36) before Senegal's Sadio Mane equalized early in the second period, then the same player added Liverpool's second goal (95), to equalize the "Blues" of the Italian Jorginho (101st).
The two teams then found themselves in the penalty shoot-out that smiled for Liverpool after Tammy Abraham was the only player on both sides to lose his kick, after Liverpool goalkeeper Adrian blocked the ball.
Abraham "will come back stronger"
Lampard suffered the bitter defeat of the European Super Cup for the third time in his career, having not won the trophy twice with Chelsea, including a breakaway loss against Bayern Munich in 2013 ( also lost against Atletico Madrid 1-4 in 2012).
Lampard admitted that Liverpool had another two days to prepare for the European match, which played in Chelsea's opening match in the Premier League at Old Trafford on Sunday, two days after the match against Liverpool against Norwich City.
"Getting two extra days off at this point in the season will obviously affect your preparations, which is good for them," said Chelsea's top scorer.
"But I think that will happen often. "I do not want to sound like I'm complaining, I'm happy with our performance, we did not lose the game because of that, but it was a little disappointing."
Lampard comforted his 21-year-old striker Abraham at Stamford Bridge after being loaned to Bristol City, Swansea City and Aston Villa for the past three years, under a two-year transfer ban imposed by Chelsea for violation of the rules.
Abraham played against the Reds in the league on Friday, but began Wednesday's game in Istanbul on the bench, before Lampard pushed him into the field instead of Giro in the second period. He was the only one to miss his shot on goal to give Liverpool victory.
Lampard gave a confidence boost to his young striker saying, "He will be back stronger. What happened was an integral part of the role of high level player, and Tami (Abraham) is what he is now. "
Lampard said he was pleased with the efforts of 20-year-old American Christian Pulisic, who was playing for the first time since his arrival from Borussia Dortmund and was the only Chelsea player to sign before the Ban in January for 58 million pounds. But he stayed with the German finalists until the end of the season.
Pulisic played 74 minutes and overtook the goal scored by Giro.
"I think there is more to come. I think the expectations (vis-à-vis Pulisic) are correct because he is an important player for us, but we must remember that he is only 20 years old. I'm really happy with that. "
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