This Should Not Have Happened - Ballack

Michael Ballack was the face of disbelief after Chelsea let a lead slip to lose 2-1 in Turkey to Fenerbahçe, but is confident of his side staging a comeback...

Chelsea were the better side in possession as many would have expected and took the lead when a Malouda cross found the net via an unfortunate deflection off Fenerbahçe playmaker Deivid.

In truth, the Turks did little to trouble Avram Grant's side but, crucially, Chelsea themselves were unable to make their composure in possession count, and once Fenerbahçe got the equaliser, they did look the better side and were, it could be argued, good value for their win.

"We had a big chance to win here," bemoaned Ballack, speaking to Sky Sports News after the game.

"We controlled the game, but we gave them a chance to come back.

"We are very disappointed, because we did not play badly in the first half. This should not have happened."

When asked if his side should have won the game, Ballack's response was emphatic.

"Yeah of course," he laughed. "Even after the equaliser we had two good chances - me, Didier [Drogba] - to score the second goal, but we did not concentrate enough, lacking a little bit of luck, so we have to go again next week.

"It was our fault. We were not concentrated enough. A long ball changed the game, then a fantastic shot from 25 metres."

The German icon insisted his side are still favourites to go through, but was mindful they will have to concentrate that much more than they did this evening.

"Yeah of course, we are strong enough at home, but we have to concentrate over 90 minutes," he stressed.

"After going a goal down, they [Fenerbahçe] took many risks. They attacked with seven or eight players and we saw this against Sevilla, they can even score away.

"Everything is in our hands. We need a win, and I'm looking forward to next week."

Chet Winter