For resurgent Chelsea, tonight is about swapping yardsticks. After impressing in the Premiership this season, Ruud Gullit's New Model Army will now be judged by European standards. Not those offered by the best teams on the continent, it has to be said, for they are largely to be found playing in the other two European competitions, but the Cup-Winners' Cup experience should still provide a worthwhile measure of the team's advancement under Gullit.

Chelsea's improved passing game will also have to pass muster. "We have to be aware that Europe is totally different to playing in the Premiership," says the manager. "English teams were always admired for their tackling, because they made every match a `tough game'. But European football can't be won like that any more.

"You can't tackle from behind and if you get frustrated you will be booked. You win in Europe through tactics and technique, not strength and power."

When Chelsea were last in Europe three years ago they went out in the semi-finals of this competition under Glenn Hoddle. Given that the squad has been so radically improved since then, and remembering the diluted quality of the opposition, the club are among the favourites to win the cup this time.

Their first round opponents Slovan Bratislava look on paper to be a pushover - the Slovakians lost many of their best players after a cash crisis at the club last season, but nothing is that simple.

They have retained the impressive midfield services of Robert Tomaschek, the only international in the side, and Chelsea scouting missions have reported back about a team with excellent movement and a reservoir of attacking flair, especially at home.

This makes a healthy first-leg victory even more desirable for Chelsea, though their captain Dennis Wise is, as one would expect, not over-confident.

"We won't get carried away and underestimate Bratislava," he says, "especially as I'm sure they'll sit back and try to catch us on the counter, so we have to be careful.

"Ruud's told us that we have to be patient, look to get behind them and get a lot of crosses in, but we feel we can cause them problems and create openings."

Chelsea will almost certainly recall the two Italians, Roberto Di Matteo and Gianfranco Zola after they were rested for the Crystal Palace game. Gianluca Vialli is doubtful with a thigh twinge, while Frank Sinclair and Graeme Le Saux are suspended.

Guardian Service.