Monaco mission for Melchiot

By Adrian Clarke

Mario Melchiot believes brains and not brawn will be the key to success for Chelsea FC in their fascinating UEFA Champions League semi-final against Didier Deschamps' AS Monaco FC.

Outstanding results
The London club visit the Stade Louis II for Tuesday's first leg full of confidence after dispatching runaway Premiership leaders Arsenal FC in the last eight, but they face a French side buoyed by their own outstanding quarter-final victory against Real Madrid CF.

Great record
Monaco are unbeaten at home in this season's Champions League, with only a group-stage draw against PSV Eindhoven denying them a 100 per cent record. However, Dutch international Melchiot says Claudio Ranieri's side can return home with a first-leg lead if they play with intelligence.

Sensible tactics
"This is an even game between two good European sides, so the tactics and the belief in our own minds on the night will be crucial," Melchiot told uefa.com. "The aim will be to defend well for 90 minutes, but we also have to score at least one goal because everybody knows away goals are vital in this competition."

Defensive record
"We have played enough matches to know what we have to do in Monaco," the 27-year-old added. "Our defensive record is good, especially away from home, and we will need to be at our best again because I believe Monaco have been scoring a lot of goals at their own stadium this season. It's vital we keep cool heads."

Surprise fixture
In the immediate aftermath of Chelsea's win at Arsenal, many of their players assumed their semi-final opponents would be Madrid. "We were buzzing at the thought of playing Real, but there is no way we are disappointed to be facing Monaco instead," said Melchiot. "It won't be anywhere near as intimidating to play in Monaco as in Madrid, but the match is won and lost on the pitch and not in the stands.

Talented side
"They are a good team unit with some attacking players that could hurt us if we're not careful. To have beaten [RC] Deportivo La Coruña and Madrid convincingly at home, they must have some extremely talented players."

Chelsea heritage
Tuesday's encounter will be extra special for Monaco coach Didier Deschamps, who enjoyed a successful season as a Chelsea player in 1999/00. The former French international's year at Stamford Bridge culminated with an FA Cup winner's medal.

Old team-mates
Only a handful of players have remained at the club since Deschamps left for Valencia CF in July 2000, but Melchiot is one of them and he admits to holding the trainer is high esteem. "I played with Didier when I first came to the club and it will be great to see him again. He did well that season and you could tell that he would one day become a coach," he said.

Respect due
"As a player he achieved so much in the game and that must have helped him to gain immediate respect as a coach," added Melchiot. "He has so much experience, so the players instantly relate to him. I'm pleased for him that he has done so well as Monaco coach in such a short space of time."

Mario Melchiot's personal website is at www.icons.com