25/08/1999  Skonto Riga 0 Chelsea 0 (Agg: 0-3)

Chelsea waltzed into the Champions League for the first 
time in the club's history with an assured and ultimately 
professional performance in Latvia to dismiss the weak 
challenge of Skonto Riga. 

Holding an unassailable 3-0 lead from the first leg at 
Stamford Bridge a fortnight before, Gianluca Vialli's were 
never seriously troubled during the entire 90 minutes.

The only possible criticism could be that they failed to 
make the most of a handful of chances to score but then again, 
with no bookings or injuries and a clean sheet, little more 
was required of the side on the night.

It was a no-frills performance that led to a match which 
was hardly compulsive viewing but was no less professional 
because of it.

In fact, it was a classic SAS raid - the Armed Forces 
rather than Sutton and Shearer version - in and out with a 
minimum of fuss before anyone has really noticed that you were 
ever there in the first place.

Achieving victory was all that mattered, given not only the 
pride but also the potentially lucrative financial bonanza on 
offer at stake to join the elite of European football in the 
group stages of the competition.

After all, this was the route taken by Manchester United in 
defeating Polish side LKS Lodz on their way to the Treble last 
season and far tougher tests await.

Much less inauspicious surroundings will also lie ahead but 
then again that would hardly be difficult.

For the match was played in front of a small crowd 
congregated on just one side of the pitch in the solitary 
stand, with a wide athletics track separating spectators from 
the pitch.

Indeed, the atmosphere often resembled more of a pre-season 
friendly than a Champions' League tie, with the players easily 
heard above what little noise came from the crowd.

As preparations for glittering nights against the likes of 
AC Milan, Barcelona and Real Madrid go, it was akin to Robbie 
Williams warming up for a concert at Wembley Stadium by taking 
part in a karaoke session at the local pub.

But a job still had to be done and with Marcel Desailly and 
Jes Hogh assured at the back, Jody Morris and Dennis Wise 
adeptly controlled the game from midfield with their industry, 
simple passes and determination to constantly make themselves 
available.

The watchword was keeping possession, a point constantly 
made to his team-mates by the vociferous Wise, and Skonto 
rarely looked like reproducing the threats which they posed in 
the opening half-hour at Stamford Bridge.

They had all of three pot-shots on goal in the opening 
period, when Chelsea should have easily taken the lead on the 
rare occasions that they raised the tempo above walking 
pace.

Tore Andre Flo was only denied by an outstanding reflex 
save by keeper Aleksandrs Kolinko, while Hogh headed the 
ensuing corner narrowly wide.

With Chris Sutton and Gianfranco Zola both rested, Mikael 
Forssell was Flo's strike partner and the young Finnish 
forward bustled around up front and put a glancing header just 
inches wide.

The Latvian side did at least try to come forward more in 
the second period but even though Ed De Goey allowed a shot by 
David Chaladze to slip under his body, the ball still went a 
couple of yards wide of the post.

The same player also crossed dangerously into the area, 
forcing De Goey to push the ball out but Desailly was on hand 
to clear calmly.

Even a flurry of late corners for the home side came to 
nothing and Chelsea boss Gianluca Vialli was able to give 
experience to fringe players Carlo Cudicini, Jon Harley and 
Mark Nicholls as his side assured their Champions League 
place.

The metamorphosis of a club who struggled through years of 
under-achievement and were bedevilled by the hooligan tendency 
but have now been reborn as a fashionable, cosmopolitan home 
for the stars of Europe had been completed.