Frank Lampard has acknowledged that Chelsea's performance for the first 60 minutes against Real Madrid on Tuesday night must act as a benchmark for the future.
The Blues succumbed to a 2-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge, losing 4-0 on aggregate to bow out of the Champions League at the quarter-finals stage.
However, Chelsea were more than a match for the defending champions for an hour of the contest, creating a number of clear-cut chances to halve the deficit in the tie.
That was despite Lampard opting for a defensive-minded starting lineup, using four central midfielders with only Kai Havertz as a recognised forward.
Chelsea had felt in the game with half-an-hour left and were preparing to make attacking substitutions, but a mistake from Trevoh Chalobah led to Rodrygo scoring what was effectively a tie-clinching goal.
Having lost each of his four matches in caretaker charge, Lampard will remain in the headlines, yet it was his side's decision-making and failing to take opportunities which ultimately cost them over the two legs.
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Speaking to reporters at a press conference, Lampard said: "I think for 60 minutes you saw why I picked the lineup. The only thing missing was a goal. One goal or two goals changes the face of the game and at this level when you're not clinical you see what happens."
Chelsea must now attempt to finish in the top seven of the Premier League standings, that appearing highly unlikely as they trail that spot by 10 points with seven games left.
Nevertheless, Lampard has stressed that he will do everything possible to ensure that Chelsea replicate the level of their display on Tuesday, reiterating that his players must take pride in representing the club regardless of the stakes.
The Englishman added: "There's individual motivation and collective. We have to be competitive every single day. I picked a team today in terms of form individual and the fittest, they showed they can compete with Real Madrid.
"We have to take each step. Day off tomorrow, back into work Thursday and working towards Brentford. This club is going to be back. I think the fans appreciated the performance today and we have to latch onto that and go again next year."
After a relentless run of matches since the international break, Chelsea now have a weekend off before playing host to Brentford on April 26.
Darren Plant
