Desailly casts aside emotional turmoil

"It's a long way to get to the semi-finals and we have to make sure we take advantage. We have to make sure we get through. We're just thinking about the semi-final not the final."

Desailly admits he has been talking tactics with his good mate Didier Deschamps but Ranieri has no need to panic.

The two Frenchmen are the best of friends from way back and will remain so irrespective of the outcome tonight.

"Yes, we talk quite often," said Desailly who is expected to play tonight in the absence of William Gallas, who has a virus.

"We were friends before this match and we will be the same afterwards. He has played in France, Italy and England and has moulded the collective cultures of these three countries into his Monaco team.

"He has given them confidence. He now has four big players and the rest are young. He has them playing as a team. The players respect his tactics.

"It will be a big mistake if, because we are playing Monaco, we think we are already in the Final. We must have respect.

The former Milan star has fond memories of a previous semi-final against Monaco. "I scored a goal against Monaco in the semi-final and I hope I can do the same tonight," he said.

Meanwhile, Chelsea's Argentine striker Hernan Crespo has admitted it's been more difficult to settle into English football, than he thought.

Former Lazio star Crespo is favourite to play alongside Eidur Gudjohnsen and said: "I never thought it would be so hard.

"I'm not talking just about football. I didn't think it would be so difficult to adapt on a social level. I had the experience of moving to Italy and I thought it would be easier here. But it's more complicated.

"The club are in the midst of a revolution. There are big changes for everyone, not just for me. There are many new arrivals at a time when you might need help from someone who's been here a long time. There's no one. Everyone is adapting."

Crespo admits there has been dressing-room talk about the uncertainty surrounding Ranieri's future.

"There's always talk," he said. We've had all these hassles though and look where we are. I think the ideal is to work in peace and harmony but this year refutes my theory."