Coventry manager Frank Lampard insists their championship play-off with Sunderland is still there to get, as they try to bring down a first foot deficit and keep their hopes alive.
Black Cats kidnapped a 2-1 win at the Coventry construction society after Eliezer Mayenda two minutes from time.
Lampard is now hoping that Coventry can turn the semifinal into the clash of Tuesday’s second foot at the Light Stadium.
He said: “We know exactly what it is, that was always a two -legged tie, the game is still there.
“We have a great incentive to try and return it. Return the result and leave everything in the field for sure.”
Tuesday 13:30 in the afternoon
Start 8:00 pm
Lampard will aim to attract previous positive experiences from two -legged meetings.
The former Chelsea midfielder played in an exciting quarter-finals of the Champions League against Liverpool, where Blues took a 3-1 lead in the second match in Stamford Bridge, but had to fight again to win a 4-4 draw and win 7-5 in the aggregate.
In 2019, Lampard’s derby lost 1-0 to Leeds in their first play-off match, but he led RAMS to a memorable victory when a stunning comeback saw them claim a 4-3 general victory.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Coventry coach chief Frank Lampard told Sky Sports after the first match his side will not go down too
He added: “I think I was in football for a long time, despite the derby game to know it has never been done until it is done, in both ways.
“I remember I was 3-1 in a Champions League match against Liverpool and they scored two to go 3-3 to Stamford Bridge. That was about half an hour, the game changed completely.
“At the derby when we went to Leeds, we went 2-0 down (in the aggregate in the second game) because we would be 1-0 down. There are many things to talk about, so the game is still there.”
The story of the first leg
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Sunderland gets superiority in Coventry through Wilson Isidor
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Jack Rudon brings things back to level after Sunderland got the lead only two minutes ago!
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Sunderland takes a late lead after a big mistake late from Coventry
Friday’s first leg saw Wilson Isido disrupting the block in the 68th minute before Jack Rudoni received an immediate response.
Although Coventry set a strong screen, Mayenda then hit late for visitors and Lampard admitted that his side should remain careful about the threats of Sunderland.
“I think we should have a belief from this, but it’s a game that has gone now,” he said. “When you play each other in such a narrow turn and you realize that we controlled the game a lot. Did we have enough goal at the top of the field? Sometimes, not so much.
“It is better to reflect on the game like this than reflect on it another way. Especially with a team like Sunderland, they are a very good team at this level and we have to wait that the game may look different.
“It is a balanced approach, we know we have played quite well, we know we can do better, but we have to be careful about what Sunderland appears as well as the individuals they have, who remain the same individuals who can hurt you every minute.
“We are well prepared for the game. The players are in a good place. We will be ready to give everything.”
‘Before -playoff Fear for Sunderland – they are now strong favorites’
Editor Sky Sports EFL Simeon Gholam:
“The whole conversation before the first game was about what the Sunderland state would find itself to go to the tie.
“They had been fourth for so long on the table, with months essentially nothing to play for it, that momentum was destroyed.
“All that was blown up from the window to a dedicated, strange show on CBS Arena on Friday evening. The winner may have come through a slice of wealth, but the game beach was prominent by Regis Le Bris.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Sunderland’s chief of Sunderland Regis Le Bris praised his sides his performance after the first match
“Now they will be in front of a house filled in the stadium of light, with their fate in their hands. Whether they can leave playing in the same way as the first foot remains to be seen, but with the players they have available – especially Wilson Isid and Eliezer Maynda – it makes sense to sit in and play opposite -sulm.
“Le bris is not the one who must be sprinkled or removed from his methods or beliefs, even in front of a full house of the loud fans of the house, who will want to see an attack. ‘We will play with the same thought,” he said after the first game.
“At least this can give Lampard and Coventry some ideas what they are against. It’s not at all in any way, but Sunderland are the heavy favorite from here.”
The main numbers going on the second leg
- 12 teams have overthrown the deficits of the first foot to reach the final at the second level-the last level was Luton against Sunderland in 2023. Sunderland won the 1 2-1 foot at the Stadium of Light and Luton won the 2nd foot of Kenilworth Road.
- In 2019 Frank Lampard’s derby were the first team (and still only) that overthrew a first foot deficit at the second level when playing the second game away-the 1st leg 1-0 V Leeds (H), but won the 2nd 4-2 foot in Elland Road.
- This is the 50th meeting in all races – Coventry are invincible in the last five visits to the Light Stadium (W2, D3), marking 12.
- Sunderland are invincible on all eight legs of the house with semifinals Play-off (W7, D1)-winning the last six.
- Coventry lost 11 championship games away this season – most of the 4 Play -off teams and more than Cardiff (10) that ended in the end.
