Frank Lampard Says Atletico Madrid Draw is as Tough as it Gets in Champions League

Frank Lampard says Chelsea couldn't have had it any tougher after they were drawn against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League round of 16.

Atleti have flown out of the traps to start the La Liga season and have established themselves as the early favourites to win the trophy.

Even a defeat in this weekend's Madrid derby failed to meaningfully dent their prospects - they remain three points clear of Real Madrid with a game in hand over their rivals, and sit second on goal difference, having played two games fewer than leaders Real Sociedad.

Having made it out of a tricky looking Group A which also featured Bayern Munich and Red Bull Salzburg, they have been rewarded with a last 16 tie with the Blues, and will host the first leg at Wanda Metropolitano. But Chelsea are going strong in their own right, and while Lampard accepts that Atleti are as tough as it gets, he is confident his players can get the job done.

"I think most people will say it’s the toughest draw we could’ve had when you go on current form," he told reporters. "They're going well in La Liga, they have European experience, they have quality throughout the team. I think most people would say that.

"We have to have belief in ourselves when that game comes round. We’re going to have to try to beat these sort of teams if we want to win the Champions League, so it is what it is.

"All draws are difficult in the Champions League but they are [near the] top of La Liga. I watched them knock Liverpool out last year, who are obviously a great team and they have that experience and quality in their squad.

"So I think most people would say they were certainly one of the toughest teams we could’ve got on paper. We’ll just have to turn up and do our job and be confident we can beat them."