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In the first Champions League semi-final, AS Monaco and London clubs faced each other. Here is the review of these matches for our readers.
17' [1 - 0]
22' [1 - 1]
78' [2 - 1]
83' [3 - 1]
First Half
AS Monaco, as expected, started the half very focused and threatened London footballers' goals from the first minutes of the match. In the beginning of the match, the Croatian Dado Prso was very noticeable on the field and he scored the first goal. In the 17th minute of the match, after a penalty shot, a ball sent from the left by Rothen flew to Morientes, but Prso, demonstrating excellent reaction and even better heading, sent the ball into the net for 1-0. After this cold shower, Chelsea started to play more aggressively and the results were immediately visible. Several counterattacks by the Londoners showed that the French defense could also be overcome. After some chaos in the penalty area, Eidur Gudjohnsen managed to pass the ball to Hernan Crespo, who left no hope for Flavio Roma. This was followed by several dangerous Chelsea attacks, but they failed to score. The first half ended with a score of 1-1.
Second Half
At the beginning of the second half, just like in the first, Monaco players besieged Chelsea's goal and it seemed that a goal was imminent, but after a collision near the London goal, in which also participated, the French position in these matches became enviable. Makelele hit Zikos in the face and received a punch to the back of the head, and although the blow was not very strong, the Frenchman fell dramatically. The referee showed Zikos a red card and the Monaco player was forced to leave the pitch, while Makelele received a yellow card. After this incident, the game changed and the Englishmen began to dictate terms on the field. However, after about ten minutes, Monaco rose up and both teams started to play very open football. Desailly blocked a shot by Morientes from the line, and a ball hit Melchiot, a Chelsea player, ended up in goalkeeper Flavio Roma's hands right on the goal line. The teams exchanged dangerous attacks, until in the 78th minute, after a brilliant French counterattack, Guly sent Fernando Morientes into a great position and he defeated Marco Ambrosio with a powerful shot from about fifteen meters. After this goal, Monaco, playing with ten men, continued to attack, and as a result, the score became 3-1: Shabani Nonda entered the field, received a long low pass from Rothen, and sent the ball into the goal with his first touch. Even after this goal, the French did not think of releasing the initiative from their hands. Their attacks continued, and only occasionally did Chelsea create something. The match ended with the hosts' victory with a score of 3-1.
After these matches, it can be confidently stated that Chelsea will have to work very hard at home to erase the two-goal deficit, while Monaco is already very close to the Champions League final.
