JOSE MOURINHO’S return to Stamford Bridge will not be a distraction for Chelsea’s players, according to Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti.
Mourinho will be back at his old stamping ground for the first since he was sacked by the club in September 2007 as Inter Milan meet the Blues in the Champions League. Inter have a 2-1 lead from the opening leg of the last-16 tie in the San Siro but Ancelotti is confident there will be no divided loyalties among a squad that was largely constructed by the self-appointed ‘Special One’.
"I’m sure they’re not distracted by his return," said Ancelotti.
"For Mourinho, it’ll be a special evening. The fans will give him a very good reception, one he deserves. But the match will be another thing. The players are not involved in other things. All the Chelsea players and Inter players are focused on the game, an important game. The other things, they’re not interested in.
"I hope there will be a third English club in the quarter-finals. Arsenal and Manchester United did a good job. Now we have to do the same tomorrow."
Chelsea’s goalkeeping crisis remains acute, with Ross Turnbull set to play only his second Champions League game. Turnbull, who made his league debut for the club in Saturday’s 4-1 demolition of West Ham, will play due to Petr Cech’s calf injury and Hilario’s groin problem. The former Middlesbrough goalkeeper’s only previous Champions League game was the 2-2 home draw with Cypriot side APOEL in the group stage.
Inter arrive in London having suffered a shock 3-1 defeat by Catania in Serie A at the weekend. But in the 18 months since Mourinho arrived, Inter have never lost two successive games.
Ancelotti said: "We have to show our best football, better organisation and better concentration. It will be difficult because Inter are a very strong team.
"It’s not easy to win the Champions League. We have to get over this hurdle, and that is difficult because Inter are a very strong team."
Defender Ricardo Carvalho has recovered from his hamstring strain and looks set to replace Alex in the Blues defence.
a d v e r t i s e m e n t
This appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Tuesday, March 16, 2010
