Ranieri rings the changes for Sparta game

Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri rang the changes for his team’s Champions League opener in the Czech Republic tonight.

Of the starting line-up which beat Tottenham 4-2 on Saturday, only goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini, defender Marcel Desailly, midfielder Emmanuel Petit and striker Adrian Mutu were in the line-up to kick off tonight’s Group G clash with Sparta Prague.

Defenders Glen Johnson, William Gallas and Wayne Bridge, midfielders Geremi, Juan Sebastian Veron and Claude Makelele and striker Hernan Crespo were installed in the starting line-up.

Celestine Babayaro, Jesper Gronkjaer, Mario Melchiot, John Terry, Frank Lampard, Damian Duff and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink were left out for the clash against the Czech champions – although the latter four were on the bench, alongside Marco Ambrosio, Joe Cole and Eidur Gudjohnsen.