Drogba vows to bring game-face to the Bridge

Didier Drogba hopes to mark hisreturn to Chelsea with a Galatasaray victory on a night when he plans to keep his emotions in check.

The 36-year-old, whose final act after eight years as a Chelsea player was scoring the decisive penalty in the 2012 European Cup win over Bayern Munich, returns to his old stomping ground tonight with the Champions League last-16 tie finely poised at 1-1 after the first leg.

The Ivorian admitted he would feel mixed emotions when he was asked if he would celebrate the winning goal at Stamford Bridge, if he scores it.

“With all the respect that I have for this club, for the fans and for the players, I might not celebrate, but if we win I’ll be happy,” said Drogba.

“It’s very difficult to play against Chelsea, but it’s not going to be difficult for me to put myself into the competition mode. Now I belong to Galatasaray. I need to be professional.”

Drogba has expressed a desire to remain in football when he calls time on his career. Asked if he would like that to be in a coaching role at Chelsea, he said: “Of course, but just not now. I still want to play.”

Drogba is the main protagonist of a contest which pits Mourinho against his predecessor as Inter boss, the former Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini who is relishing his return to England.

“I did a really good job with Manchester City,” Mancini said. “I’m very happy to play this game, first of all because it’s here in London and after because it’s Champions League.”