Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti admits he's hoping to avoid meeting AC Milan or Inter Milan.
Blues boss not keen on Italian meeting
Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti does not want to meet AC Milan or Inter Milan in the next round of the UEFA Champions League.
The Blues will be seeded alongside Manchester United and Arsenal in next Friday's last-16 draw after the three English teams won their respective groups.
Ancelotti's side have seven possible opponents for the next stage in the competition - Bayern Munich, CSKA Moscow, Lyon, Milan, Inter, Stuttgart and Olympiakos.
"I admit that I would prefer to avoid a head-to-head with (Milan coach) Leonardo in February at Stamford Bridge," the former Milan manager told
Gazzetta dello Sport.
"But if it happens, it's no problem. Football puts you in this type of situation.
"It already happened to (former AC Milan star) Kaka, who faced AC Milan with Real Madrid in the group stages."
Emotional
Ancelotti led AC Milan to Champions League success in 2003 and 2007, and the Italian knows the strength of his homeland's representatives.
"It's obvious that if we get Milan the emotional aspect would be something special," he said.
"Chelsea v Milan would be a very particular situation for the both of us.
"The only problem if we get Inter is that from a technical standpoint they are a great team.
"I believe that in the runners-up group they (Inter) are the best side.To eliminate Italian teams is going to be difficult."
Uncertain
The Champions League title is the only trophy the club has not won since Roman Abramovich took over at Stamford Bridge, and Ancelotti is hoping to change that in his first season with the Blues.
However, despite Chelsea being among the favourites to win the title, the Italian isn't underestimating the challenge.
"I see a very balanced and uncertain tournament," he said. "Besides Liverpool, all the top teams are in the contention.
"From the group winners, all the teams are difficult.
"The only one that has less experience is Arsenal, a very young side. They have lost several key players with respect to when they eliminated Milan two years ago in the last 16.
"Of the teams that finished runners-up in the group, I only see three teams at the same level as the group winners: Milan, Inter and Bayern Munich. The other sides are one step behind."
