Chelsea get a taste of final venue

Besiktas v Chelsea Gelsenkirchen, 7.45Chelsea will hope their trip to Germany proves a useful reconnaissance mission. This season's Champions League final takes place here and Claudio Ranieri's statement yesterday that he possesses "more or less" the best collection of players in Europe would be confirmed by victory in the AufSchalke Arena in May.

Not that Ranieri was being arrogant or dismissive of Real Madrid, Milan and others when he spoke of the quality at his disposal. Far from it. The Italian was discussing the work he still has to do to turn arguably the continent's strongest group of individuals into unarguably its best team.

With Chelsea top of the Premiership and guaranteed passage in the Champions League even before tonight's relocated match against Besiktas, Ranieri has started well. He said he would not fear any opponent in the knock-out, provided his team were in good shape.

"If you say players, I think yes, more or less we are better (than anybody in Europe)," he stated, "but players and squad are different."

Saturday's draw emphasised to him that more patience and maturity are required.

"Against Leeds we showed fantastic character but we were a little anxious to (equalise) and didn't play well as a team. When something happens to Manchester or Arsenal they are a little more calm.

"They think and move the ball and then, at the right moment, try to score. They know sooner or later they can score. After Leeds scored we wanted to score immediately. We need to grow up more."

A point tonight will guarantee Chelsea first place and, in theory, an easier tie against a runner-up. Yet Ranieri, who has seen Hernan Crespo join the injury list, said: "If we are in good condition I'm not afraid of any opponent."

Just to add a little flavour to the match, last night Chelsea were accused of giving in to terrorism by the manager of Besiktas.

Mircea Lucescu is upset the Londoners protested against playing in Istanbul, and believe UEFA were wrong to move the clash.

There were reports the Stamford Bridge club wrote to Europe's governing body requesting a switch, although the decision was taken entirely by UEFA.

Besiktas coach Lucescu said: "I tried to put myself in Chelsea's position but I do not understand them. If the same thing was happening in England I am sure we would have gone to play there - for me this is not fair play."

Meanwhile, Chelsea have denied that they are about to offer midfielder Frank Lampard a new contract doubling his wages.

The former West Ham star, who is believed to earn around £40,000 a week, still has two years left on the deal he signed following his £11 million move from Upton Park in 2001.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

BESIKTAS (3-4-2-1): Cordoba; Emre, Ronaldo, Zago; Okan, Tayfur, Pancu, Ibrahim; Sergen, Tumer; Ilhan Mansiz.

CHELSEA (4-4-2): Cudicini; Johnson, Terry, Desailly, Babayaro; Gronkjaer, Geremi, Lampard, Duff; Mutu, Hasselbaink.