Ancelotti: football is our only focus
Chelsea left-back Ashley Cole is to separate from his wife Cheryl following a string of allegations about affairs with other women. Their split was announced on the eve of Chelsea’s last-16 tie against their former manager Jose Mourinho.
But Ancelotti, keen to play down a war of words with his Inter counterpart, insisted his squad would not be distracted by any off-the-field issues.
“I think we are focused today and will be tomorrow on this important game,” said Ancelotti. “We will not change our motivation for this game, whatever happens outside our dressing room.”
Ancelotti’s uneasy relationship with Mourinho stems from their time in Italy. The pair endured a difficult time in Milan but Ancelotti, despite Mourinho’s best efforts in recent days, was determined not to fall foul of his mind games.
“I will respect Inter Milan like I always have in the past,” Ancelotti added. “We respect them, but to beat them we need to play at 100%. But if they want to beat us they will also have to play at 100%.”
But Ancelotti has found himself facing a major selection headache over the left-back position.
Cole’s broken ankle and a calf injury to Yury Zhirkov has left the Italian having to call upon Juliano Belletti.
Belletti has not played for over a month because of a knee injury and Chelsea’s problems have been further compounded by the fact that Paulo Ferreira, who can play in that position, has not been included in the club’s Champions League squad.
“It is a problem,” admitted Ancelotti. “We are missing two very important players but Belletti is back and doing well. We will find a solution but Ashley and Yury are to be missed.”
Mourinho has found himself unpopular among other Serie A coaches and Italian football’s authorities because of his outspoken behaviour and Ancelotti had allegedly claimed that every neutral in Italy will be hoping his Chelsea side can beat Mourinho’s Inter.
But Ancelotti added: “I never said this. I respect Inter Milan fully. I understand how much Inter want to win this cup but we also want to win it. To be honest I am not interested in Inter Milan and their dressing room.”
Mourinho, who won every domestic trophy during his time at Stamford Bridge, had earlier boasted that Chelsea’s side would hold no surprises for him.
And for once former AC Milan boss Ancelotti agreed with his old sparring partner.
“In football there are no surprises any more because we can watch every game on television,” said Ancelotti.
“It is not like it was 20 years ago.”
Mourinho agreed. “I know Chelsea well but that doesn’t mean that it’s any easier,” he said. “Sometimes it’s more difficult because when you know so much about the team, if you don’t decide what is the right information to give to the your new players about your old players, you can get into trouble.”
Mourinho is not expecting Chelsea to come and build the barricades – and nor will Inter – but predicts the tie will be decided at Stamford Bridge next month, rather than tonight.
“I don’t remember seeing a game involving Chelsea and them going on the field to defend, or not to win, or to play for a 0-0,” he said.
“Inter are the same. It’s a game which could be 180 minutes, but it may even be 30 minutes more.”
Mourinho is still sweating over the fitness of goalkeeper Julio Cesar, who was involved in a car accident on Sunday. Although the Brazilian was able to train yesterday, Mourinho will assess him again prior to kick-off having called veteran goalkeeper Francesco Toldo up as cover.
“It’s not certain,” he said. “I don’t know how he wakes up tomorrow, maybe he wakes with his eyes closed and he can’t see the ball. After a car accident you never know. You can have a reaction 24 or 48 hours after.”
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