Evra ready for electric tie

By Matt Spiro in Monaco

Attacking left-back Patrice Evra is convinced that all is not lost for AS Monaco FC as they carry a one-goal deficit into the second leg of their UEFA Champions League first knockout round tie against FC Lokomotiv Moskva.

Solid foundation
The French Under-21 international told uefa.com that, after sneaking an away goal in the 69th minute of the 2-1 defeat in Moscow, Didier Deschamps' side have laid the foundations for winning a place in the quarter-finals. "We know what we have to do," said Evra. "The first-leg scoreline could have been much worse, and the goal we scored has given us hope. We're at home and we know a 1-0 win would be good enough. If we can impose our attacking style on the game we can win."

Surprise result
Lokomotiv's victory, achieved despite a prolonged absence from competitive action due to the Russian season finishing in November, was heralded as something of a surprise. However, Evra insisted his team had been under no illusions about the task facing them in Moscow - where they barely merited Fernando Morientes's strike.

Motivation level
"Honestly, we didn't underestimate them," he said. "People outside the club were underestimating them. As soon as the draw was made everyone said, 'Monaco have been lucky', but we never thought that. The only thing I'd say is that maybe we didn't have the same hunger that we had in our first [group stage] match against PSV Eindhoven. Back then we were discovering the Champions League for the first time and everyone was excited. We have to rediscover that level of motivation on Wednesday."

Giuly absent
That they will be meeting this challenge without arguably their best player, playmaker Ludovic Giuly, has added to the pressure on Deschamps' men, but Evra is not looking for excuses. "One player doesn't make a team," the 22-year-old said. "We have a very strong togetherness and we can win without Ludo. That's our big strength. We play hard for each other and win as a team, not as individuals. Of course we'll miss him - any team would - but we won't be using his absence as an excuse."

Lokomotiv strength
For Evra, Monaco will do well to shackle a very mobile Lokomotiv side, particularly the Russian international midfield player Dmitri Loskov. "They're all comfortable in possession and they move the ball around very quickly, which means that when you play against them you get tired quickly," he said. "If you watch carefully it's impressive how they attack up one flank, then as soon as that avenue is blocked, they shift the ball quickly to the other side. The No10 [Loskov] is extremely talented, he sees a lot of the ball and is very influential."

France possibility
However, the prize at stake is a huge one for Monaco - a place in the last eight of Europe's blue-riband club competition. And for Evra, a prolonged spell in the Champions League could yet give him the chance of joining the French squad for the finals of UEFA EURO 2004™.

Domestic priorities
"My first priority is to win the championship with Monaco and my second is to go as far as possible in the Champions League," Evra explained. "If there's a chance to play with the French team this summer then that'd be great. I know the coach is thinking about me and I'll be ready to take my chance if it comes. For the moment, though, my thoughts are with Monaco."