Champions League last 16 first leg
Venue: San Siro
Date: Wednesday, 24 February
Kick-off: 1945 GMT
Right, well the verbal sparring between Ancelotti and Mourinho has gone on in the press for the last week or two but now it’s time to let the football do the talking as tonight’s Champions League game sees us face Inter at the San Siro.
There’s bound to be a bit of added spice for this encounter, with Mourinho dying to prove he’s as ‘special’ as ever and Ancelotti every bit as eager to maintain his outstanding record of just 3 defeats in 15 against the Nerazzurri.
MANAGERS’ VIEWS
Apart from the odd attempt at a wind-up here and there, ahead of this game, Jose Mourinho says “I know Chelsea well but it doesn’t mean it is easier. Sometimes it is more difficult because when you know so much about a team because you don’t decide the right information to give to your new players about your old players and then you are in trouble. This happened in 2004-05 with Chelsea against my old team Porto, and it wasn’t easy. We won one game and lost another one. I think Carlo Ancelotti knows Inter very well too through Italian football. He is from Milan. I think he knows everything about us. I don’t think it is an advantage at all. We have to consider the game over 180 minutes. The first game is very important.”
Carlo Ancelotti meanwhile, says “It will be a fantastic game to look forward to because Milan are a very good team. They have changed their system, and a lot of players from last year. They have a lot of important players.” And just to prove Mourinho isn’t the only one who can throw in a dig, says “All of Italy, apart from Inter supporters, will be a fan of Chelsea.”
SQUAD NEWS
For Inter, keeper Julio Cesar should be fit after his recent car crash although Cristian Chivu and Davide Santon are ruled out so Javier Zanetti is likely to fill-in at left-back. Cambiasso, Muntari, Zanetti and Sneijder should make up Inter’s midfield and Mourinho could opt for the double strike partnership of Eto’o and Milito.
For Chelsea, Jose Bosingwa, Michael Essien and Deco (all knee) remain out, and with both Ashley Cole and Yuri Zhirkov (calf) also injured and Paulo Ferreira not registered, we’re a bit buggered at left-back. I suppose the one saving grace is having Alex and Belletti both returning from knee injuries. Frank Lampard also returns after missing Saturday’s game with a virus.
TEAMS
CHELSEA (from): Cech, Turnbull, Hilario, Ivanovic, Carvalho, Terry, Alex, Bruma, Belletti, Mikel, Ballack, Lampard, J Cole, Malouda, Kakuta, Kalou, Sturridge, Anelka, Borini, Drogba.
INTER (likely line-up): Toldo, Santon, Samuel, Lucio, Maicon, Cambassio, Zanetti, Stankovic, Sneijder, Milito, Eto’o.
PREDICTION
Unsurprisingly for a Mourinho side, Inter have already shown themselves to have a pretty solid defence and with Eto’o, Milito and Sneijder to contend with, they might cause a few problems going forward against our less consistent backline as well. Over the two legs I think we’ll have enough but I wouldn’t be surprised to see a trademark 1-0 Mourinho win tonight.
Blue is the colour
