Chelsea face their most daunting task of the season on Wednesday when they try to overturn a 3-1 deficit against Monaco and reach the Champions League final.

Chelsea looked to have made a dream start to the semi-finals in Monaco a fortnight ago by holding Didier Deschamps' 10-man side to a 1-1 draw midway through the second half.

But a gamble by coach Claudio Ranieri on winning the tie with an extra striker in Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and a re-shuffle in midfield went horribly wrong, allowing Fernando Morientes and substitute Shabani Nonda to score one apiece in the last 13 minutes.

It was one tinker too many by the man dubbed "The Tinkerman" and the Italian, who is widely expected to be dismissed at the end of the season, willingly took the blame.

The problem facing his side at Stamford Bridge is not just to score twice, a task well within Chelsea's means, but to prevent Monaco scoring any away goals of their own, an altogether different proposition.

Goal-happy Monaco have put eight past Deportivo Coruna, who are hoping for a re-match in Gelsenkirchen on May 26 after their semi-final first leg against Porto finished 0-0.

Brilliantly led by the creative skills of captain Ludovic Giuly, Monaco have scored 25 times in Europe this season and will be looking to hit their hosts on the break, given that Chelsea will be obliged to get forward.

Aside from Giuly, Chelsea will also need to keep a close eye on Morientes, the Champions League's top scorer with eight goals and who is on loan from Real Madrid.

Chelsea's already uphill task has been made steeper still by suspensions that will rule out skipper and central defender Marcel Desailly and defensive midfielder Claude Makelele.

Equally damaging has been the loss of inspirational playmaker Damien Duff, after the Irishman dislocated his shoulder in training last week.

Desailly's place should go to fellow Frenchman William Gallas, back from illness, while Geremi takes over from Makelele and Joe Cole is charged with providing Duff's missing sparkle.

Monaco have woes of their own, though, with Croatian striker Dado Prso doubtful after picking up a toe injury in Friday's 2-1 win at Nice.

"I will do all I can to play against Chelsea. It is my goal, I'm ready to take risks to reach it," Prso said.

Left winger Jerome Rothen, who picked up a groin injury on Friday, faces a fitness test but is probably out, though centre back Sebastien Squillaci should shake off a thigh injury.

Deschamps will be without defensive midfielder Andreas Zikos after the Greek international's red card in the first leg.

Probable teams:

Chelsea: 23-Carlo Cudicini; 2-Glen Johnson (or 15-Mario Melchiot), 13-William Gallas (or 29-Robert Huth), 26-John Terry, 18-Wayne Bridge; 30-Jesper Gronkjaer, 8-Frank Lampard, 14-Geremi (or 19-Scott Parker), 10-Joe Cole; 22-Eidur Gudjohnsen; 21-Hernan Crespo.

Monaco: 30-Flavio Roma; 4-Hugo Ibarra, 27-Julien Rodriguez, 32-Gael Givet, 3-Patrice Evra; 7-Lucas Bernardi, 14-Edouard Cisse, 6-Jaroslav Plasil, 8-Ludovic Giuly; 18-Shabani Nonda (or 9-Dado Prso), 10-Fernando Morientes.

Referee: Anders Frisk (Sweden)