Ranieri faces up to a new future

"I am relieved," said Magath. "We finally managed to score again and we won. It has been a long time since we scored away from home and it was visible that the team desperately wanted to win. It is great to do so before travelling to London. I still believe we can win there even after losing the first leg.

"We knew Chelsea would be hard to beat away from home and so far this season no team in the Champions League has done it. At times they do have a few problems at home though and we hope to capitalise on that."

Magath insisted that he is under the same pressure as Ranieri.

He added: "Claudio is a top manager but I'm not aware that he might lose his job. Everyone wants success and managers are under pressure irrespective of whether they've spent money. Chelsea have invested millions, are in second place and people are not happy. Stuttgart have spent no money, are in third place and people are not happy. It's not about investment, it's about what happens on the pitch."

For the record, Chelsea have been beaten four times at Stamford Bridge this season, by Bolton, Liverpool and Arsenal in the Premiership, and by Besiktas in the Champions League.

"When you play abroad the home team wants to win but it is different when you are at home," said Ranieri.

"Besiktas played very deep and counter-attacked as did Lazio while Sparta Prague stayed on the edge of their home penalty area. This tie is not over yet. German teams are very hard and I think we will have to score again tonight to go through."

Part of Ranieri's plan is to nullify Stuttgart's potential strength down both flanks. Damien Duff, restored to health, could attack down the left while Glen Johnson, outstanding in the first leg, will be equally important in tonight's match.

"Glen played very well in that match," said Ranieri. "I said to him and Geremi before the game that they should cross the ball early. He did that and we scored. He has a big future but he is young and he must improve his defensive game.

"He must concentrate for the 90 minutes because sometimes he stays a little too wide. When we defend he most close the space.

"Only by playing can he improve that part of his game."

Ranieri looks likely to start with Hernan Crespo and Eidur Gudjohnsen up front for Chelsea. "Adrian Mutu is available," said the Chelsea coach. "But he is not in the best of condition after his hip injury."