Chelsea Euro dream in balance following 3-1 defeat

Chelsea face an uphill struggle to qualify for this year's Champions League final following a 3-1 first-leg defeat at the hands of Monaco last night.

Although Claudio Raneiri's men went into last night's away semi-final as underdogs there was an expectancy that the Blues could win through with a result.

However, this looked a long way off as Monaco took a 15th minute lead following a reckless challenge by Chelsea defender Mario Melchiot.

The resulting free kick from Jerome Rothen saw Dado Prso power home a header past Blues' keeper Marco Ambrosio.

Chelsea looked despondent, until a scrappy goal mouth scramble six minutes later saw striker Hernan Crespo level the score.

This proved to be the catalyst for better Chelsea play. They pushed Monaco further into their own half with England international midfielder Frank Lampard behind most of Chelsea's ideas and he came close to scoring with a 25 yard left foot shot minutes later.

Lampard later set up Crespo with an exquisite cross, only for the Argentinean to overstretch and touch his opportunity over the bar.

By half-time it looked as if Chelsea's dream of a major European final was becoming a reality. However, manager Claudio Ranieri made a bizarre decision in replacing a dangerous looking Jesper Gronkjaer with Juan Sebastian Veron, who has not played a competitive game since November.

Despite this Chelsea looked as if they would continue their dominance especially after Monaco midfielder Zikos was sent off for raising his arms at Claude Makelele.

But, exactly the opposite happened. Monaco started playing with a renewed desire and a hunger matched by some great movement and passing.

Added to this, two further bizarre substitutions by Ranieri with full back Mario Melchiot being replaced by striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and inexperienced defender Robert Huth coming on for midfielder Scott Parker, Chelsea lost their way.

The players looked more than a little lost and in the confusion Monaco became more confident, creating more chances.

Eventually the Monaco goals came. A second goal from on-loan striker Fernando Morientes who thrashed a stunning finish past Ambrosio on 78 minutes. Five minutes later it was 3-1 with substitute Shabani Nonda scoring with his first touch of the ball, helped along with some poor Chelsea goalkeeping.

Chelsea have some hard thinking to do before they meet Monaco again in two-weeks for the second leg.

(MB)