Quotes by Didier Deschamps

“We must be happy with the outcome because Rennes played a pretty good match tonight. They stopped us playing our way by defending well.”

“To score two goals when we were down to 10 men is really exceptional and we have taken a big step towards the final. Its a great result and we can be confident for the second leg. There was a lot of hard tackling but we stood up to the challenge and can look forward to the return.”

“The players are writing a beautiful page of the clubs history and also of French football history.”

“Life as a coach is full of frustrations.”

“I dont think this is an important question right now. The final is my objective for the time being. Im not discussing that.”

“I hope the players benefit from my experience but this is their final. It is something they have worked for and they will be able to enjoy it.”

“I have just renewed my contract with Monaco until 2007. Im not concerned with the national team.”

“Its a big disappointment because we missed an opportunity to play the final but Sedans victory is a deserved one. They tried harder than we did and created more chances.”

“We deserved a better result. We should have scored a second goal. We played pretty well throughout the second half. But Bordeaux are a solid side. Its difficult to upset their formation.”

“I believe in fate and the final is on May 26 - the same date Marseille beat Milan 11 years ago. It is my dream to become the first Frenchman to pick up the Champions League trophy.”