Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard fears that his club could meet Wayne Rooney at his best on Wednesday after the Manchester United striker was hit with a two-match ban following his four-letter FA ban.
Rooney's England teammate Lampard said that he is worried about a Champions League backlash in tonight's quarterfinal clash at Chelsea.
"Wayne is always a very competitive player and there is never a good time to be playing against him. But there's a chance that the ban might spur him on even more. When you get negative headlines like he's had it can make you more of a threat," Lampard said.
"It's not for me to say if I was surprised by the charge. The FA have made their decision and I think United have accepted it. But Wayne is a fantastic player and he'll definitely be a threat against us," The Sun quoted him, as saying.
Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti admits that he was shocked that the FA charged Rooney.
"Obviously the behaviour was not good - but in Italy nothing happens if a player shouts into a camera. Here, the FA are very strong and they have given a two-game ban - I am surprised by this," he said.
"But Rooney is always dangerous. He scored here in our last game against United and he is one of the players who can give us the most difficulties. So we must have good control of his position at all times if we are going to win this game," Ancelotti added.