Ranieri makes six changes for Monaco tie

Claudio Ranieri lived up to his reputation for tinkering by changing half his team for Chelsea’s Champions League semi-final, first leg, in the Stade Louis II in the millionaires’ playground of Monaco.

The Blues boss made six changes to the team who were held to a goalless draw at home by Everton on Saturday.

Out were William Gallas, Robert Huth, Geremi, Joe Cole, Adrian Mutu and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink. In came Mario Melchiot, John Terry, Claude Makelele, Jesper Gronkjaer, Hernan Crespo and Eidur Gudjohnsen.

Hosts Monaco, coached by former Chelsea midfielder Didier Deschamps, were not to be underestimated, having defeated Real Madrid in the quarter-finals.

Monaco: Roma, Evra, Ibarra, Bernardi, Giuly, Prso, Morientes, Zikos, Rothen, Rodriguez, Givet. Subs: Sylva, Plasil, Oshadogan, Cisse, Nonda, Adebayor, El Fakiri.

Chelsea: Ambrosio, Makelele, Desailly, Lampard, Melchiot, Bridge, Parker, Crespo, Gudjohnsen, Terry, Gronkjaer.

Subs: Sullivan, Mutu, Hasselbaink, Cole, Geremi, Veron, Huth.

Referee: Urs Meier (Switzerland)