Chelsea v Inter Milan preview

'Special One' puts emotions to one side for crunch game

By James Riach   Last updated: 16th March 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Chelsea v Inter Milan preview

Mourinho: Returns to old club

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Jose Mourinho returns to Stamford Bridge on Tuesday as his Inter Milan side try and secure safe passage to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League at the expense of Chelsea.

The self-styled 'Special One' will lead the Nerazzurri out at the Bridge having left the West London club in 2007 after a highly successful three-year spell with the Blues.

Mourinho forged a strong bond with the Chelsea fans during his time in England, and says he is certain to come back and manage in the Premier League in the not-too-distant future.

But the eccentric Portuguese tactician will not be doing his old side any favours in the first knockout round of Europe's elite competition.

Indeed, he insists he will be putting all personal feelings and emotions to one side as he tries to use a cool head to outwit opposite number Carlo Ancelotti, former coach of AC Milan.

Inter take a 2-1 lead to the Bridge having nicked a win at the San Siro three weeks ago, meaning the tie is finely balanced going into the second leg.

The Italian champions went ahead early on through Diego Milito, but Salomon Kalou grabbed a vital away goal for Chelsea before Esteban Cambiasso put the home side in front once more.

Since then the Blues have won two and lost one - although the last two games have been victories following a poor performance to Manchester City which ended in a 4-2 defeat.

They triumphed over London rivals West Ham 4-1 at the weekend, putting in an assured performance that will give them confidence ahead of their European test.

Inter, meanwhile, have stuttered in Serie A of late and now only lead arch-rivals Milan by just one point at the top of the table.

Mourinho's men went down 3-1 at relegation-threatened Catania on Friday, but they only need a draw on Tuesday to advance to the next round.

Team news

Ross Turnbull is set to line up in goal for Chelsea due to injuries to No.1 Petr Cech and regular fill-in Hilario.

Turnbull, formerly of Middlesbrough, made his first ever appearance in the league for the Blues at the weekend and Inter will want to test him as much as possible.

Ancelotti played Florent Malouda at left-back in the first leg in Italy, but after the Frenchman put in a man of the match performance against the Hammers on Saturday, he may start in a more attacking role this time out.

If Malouda is pushed up the pitch, Yuri Zhirkov could come in at full-back having played the last 10 minutes at the weekend, with Ashley Cole still sidelined with a broken ankle, although Paulo Ferreira has deputised in recent games.

Deco was an unused substitute against West Ham having been out since early February with a knee problem and could feature.

Meanwhile, Ricardo Carvalho has recovered from a hamstring injury, but Alex may continue alongside captain John Terry in central defence.

Jose Bosingwa is out until the end of the season with a long-term knee problem while Michael Essien (also knee) has not played since January.

Mourinho has shuffled his pack in recent domestic games but could stick with a similar side that came out victorious in the first leg.

The only doubt from that starting XI is Thiago Motta, who suffered a thigh problem earlier in the month.

Christian Chivu, meanwhile, has been out since January with a fractured skull and is not expected to make a return.

Fiery striker Mario Balotelli has not travelled with the squad following a reported training ground bust-up with Mourinho.

Inter have lost in the Champions League first knockout round in the last two seasons to English sides.

They went down by an aggregate 2-0 scoreline to Manchester United last term, losing 3-0 to Liverpool the year before.

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