Post by Taxigirl on Apr 20, 2004 17:19:20 GMT
www.skysports.com/skysports/article/0,,7-1131992,00.html
Chelsea will be hoping to take a major step towards the UEFA Champions League final when they travel to Monaco for the first leg of their semi-final clash at Stade Louis II.
Both sides are surprise semi-finalists having beaten Arsenal and Real Madrid in the quarter finals.
Monaco coach Didier Deschamps will be looking to get one over on his old side and take the French club to the final for the first time.
Chelsea have a formidable away record in this season's competition as they are still unbeaten and have won their last five away games, while Monaco have not lost in their last seven home games.
Chelsea, who are in their first Champions League semi-final, have been dealt a double injury blow for the game.
Key winger Damien Duff and French defender William Gallas have both stayed behind in London due to illness.
Hernan Crespo, Eidur Gudjohnson and Juan Sebastian Veron are all fit to play having recovered from illness which sidelined them for last weekend's game with Everton.
John Terry has shaken off an ankle injury and is set to play in the heart of the defence alongside Marcel Desailly.
With Carlo Cudicini and Neil Sullivan still out injured Marco Ambrosio will continue to deputise in goal.
Monaco have no fresh injury worries to contend with having had a nice break of ten days since their last game.
The Principality outfit are missing highly-rated defender Sebastien Squillaci with a thigh injury, but welcome back Argentine ace Lucas Bernardi after suspension.
Congo striker Shabani Nonda is pushing for a place in the starting line-up having proved his fitness after a long-term injury.
Monaco will again look to captain Ludovic Giuly and loan signing Fernando Morientes following their quarter final heroics as they look to secure a lead to take into the second leg at Stamford Bridge in a fortnight's time.
Chelsea will be hoping to take a major step towards the UEFA Champions League final when they travel to Monaco for the first leg of their semi-final clash at Stade Louis II.
Both sides are surprise semi-finalists having beaten Arsenal and Real Madrid in the quarter finals.
Monaco coach Didier Deschamps will be looking to get one over on his old side and take the French club to the final for the first time.
Chelsea have a formidable away record in this season's competition as they are still unbeaten and have won their last five away games, while Monaco have not lost in their last seven home games.
Chelsea, who are in their first Champions League semi-final, have been dealt a double injury blow for the game.
Key winger Damien Duff and French defender William Gallas have both stayed behind in London due to illness.
Hernan Crespo, Eidur Gudjohnson and Juan Sebastian Veron are all fit to play having recovered from illness which sidelined them for last weekend's game with Everton.
John Terry has shaken off an ankle injury and is set to play in the heart of the defence alongside Marcel Desailly.
With Carlo Cudicini and Neil Sullivan still out injured Marco Ambrosio will continue to deputise in goal.
Monaco have no fresh injury worries to contend with having had a nice break of ten days since their last game.
The Principality outfit are missing highly-rated defender Sebastien Squillaci with a thigh injury, but welcome back Argentine ace Lucas Bernardi after suspension.
Congo striker Shabani Nonda is pushing for a place in the starting line-up having proved his fitness after a long-term injury.
Monaco will again look to captain Ludovic Giuly and loan signing Fernando Morientes following their quarter final heroics as they look to secure a lead to take into the second leg at Stamford Bridge in a fortnight's time.