What Frank Lampard has said to Coventry City’s Milan van Ewijk after play-off mistake vs Sunderland left him in tears

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Coventry City have it all to do if they are to advance to their second Championship play-off final in three years after a 2-1 defeat to Sunderland in the first leg of their tie.

It was a Milan van Ewijk mistake that allowed the Black Cats to take an advantage back to the Stadium of Light, as he played the ball into the path of Eliezier Mayenda, who rounded Ben Wilson to restore his team’s lead in the final moments at the CBS Arena.

Frank Lampard’s looking to repeat play-off history, and come from behind after losing the first leg at home and still advance through to Wembley, but this will be a tough task after such a heartbreaking end to their home campaign.

Nevertheless, he has been focused on keeping his players in the correct mindset ahead of their trip to the Stadium of Light and Coventry supporters will be backing their club to right the wrongs of two years ago.

Frank Lampard’s message to Milan van Ewijk after crucial Coventry City mistake

Van Ewijk was left in tears at the CBS Arena following his misplaced pass on Friday evening, and he will be keen to show fans that he has learned from his mistake after an excellent season for the Sky Blues.

His manager is in his corner, and despite giving Sunderland a hand in retaking the lead, the Dutch wing-back will be primed for the second leg on Wearside.

Following the final whistle, Lampard was keen to stand by van Ewijk: “I’ll speak to him. It’s football. He’s been brilliant for us this season. Mistakes happen in football,” he started,

“Sunderland defended the box brilliantly and made it hard for us to find space and get clear opportunities. Look, it’s a play-off game, I wasn’t expecting them to open the door for us. We’ll have to be adaptable (on Tuesday) to try and find a way to win whatever they do.

“There’s pressure on us both in different ways,” Lampard concluded.

Frank Lampard knows it is only half-time in his Championship play-off battle

While frustrations will be high following the defeat, there is still at least 90 minutes to go until the final whistle and Coventry City can still turn their situation around.

Lampard helped the club rise up the table, and knows how to get the best out of this squad even when times are tough. An early goal will put huge pressure on Sunderland to react as Sheffield United await the winner in the Championship play-off final.

Coventry’s long throw-in tactic may be lost, but van Ewijk will still be a great threat on the right flank and the Black Cats must find a way to stop the wing-back from having a major impact on the game.

With bragging rights also at stake, the Stadium of Light will be a cauldron of noise on Tuesday evening and the Sky Blues must not crack.