Win, lose or draw Chelsea are the better side, but this is football so fingers crossed. If Mourinho and Inter want to take the next step then a 2-1 lead v Chelsea without Essien should be consolidated.
Interesting to see Balotelli not get called up, I thought his cameo in the first leg kept the pressure off Inter. He must have seriously pissed off Mourinho somehow during the week
It wouldn't surprise me if Mourinho plays Santon, just to make a point to Mario. It wouldn't be all bad as it would free Zanetti to cover in midfield.
I couldn't imagine Muntari getting a run after his 85 second "cameo" on the weekend but who knows with Jose.
I don't like lies. I have understood your market where sometimes lies sell more than truth. This is your life and I don't like it. I understand your work and I have to work with you, but the protection of my group is much more important than you
MILAN - José Mourinho has named a squad of 20 players (three goalkeepers, seven defenders, seven midfielders & three strikers) for Tuesday evening's UEFA Champions League last sixteen return leg at Stamford Bridge (kick-off 20:45 CET):
Goalkeepers: 1 Francesco Toldo, 12 Julio Cesar, 21 Paolo Orlandoni.
Defenders: 2 Ivan Cordoba, 4 Javier Zanetti, 6 Lucio, 13 Maicon, 23 Marco Materazzi, 25 Walter Samuel, 39 Davide Santon.
LONDON - José Mourinho believes there will be no advantage for his team in facing a Chelsea side with third goalkeeper Ross Turnbull in tomorrow night's Champions League clash at Stamford Bridge.
"This story of playing with the third keeper is a non-story because one thing I have is a good memory and when I was Chelsea manager we played against Barcelona with the third keeper," said Mourinho, who fielded questions from the English, Italian and Portuguese press in a news conference that lasted forty-five minutes. "Cech and Cudicini were injured, Hilario made his debut and we beat Barcelona at Stamford Bridge and we drew at Camp Nou. This is not a virgin story, it happens all over the world. It's no problem.
"I don't know Chelsea's team. I have some doubts. Between Ricardo and Alex, between Zhirkov and Malouda on the left side, between Joe Cole and Malouda up front with Anelka. Ancelotti probably doesn't have doubts, and I don't have doubts about my team. I can say that Julio Cesar, Maicon, Samuel, Zanetti, Lucio, Milito and Sneijder will play tomorrow. I have three or four doubts about Carlo's team so I will leave him a few doubts about my team."
So what does it mean for Mourinho to bring Inter to Chelsea, and what would it mean to beat Chelsea? "Chelsea is not the point for me. The point for me is for Inter to go to the quarter-finals and if we reach the quarter-final tomorrow it will be an important moment for Inter - a team that hasn't gone to the quarter-final for many years. Winning means I would go to the quarter-final, nothing more. I have nothing to prove to Chelsea, the team, their fans or the board. The relationship with Chelsea is great. Happiness for both me and them is a perfect situation. Tomorrow it's not possible.
"The only thing I can do is prepare the game with all my qualities, with all my motivation, and play the game tomorrow from my angle and read the game as best I can and make the best possible decisions and give everything I have to my team and help get us through to the quarter-final. Chelsea is different for me and of course I have to be different, but after ninety minutes the first person to win is me."
Mourinho, who is famous for his touchline runs after important victories, admitted he will be less emotional if his team comes away from Stamford Bridge with a place in the last eight: "Yes, I would be restrained because it's Chelsea, it's the team I worked at for three and a half years, because it's the same team, the same fans. But don't confuse this emotional control with professionalism and desire to win. I have given everything to prepare for this game. I have watched Chelsea on DVD seven times, so don't confuse my feelings for my ex-players and ex-club with my desire and motivation to win the game."
When Mourinho walked through the gates at Stamford Bridge he bumped into many a familiar face, but there will be no friends during the ninety minutes tomorrow night: "I feel at home here. I open the door and I walk through the door. I go to the second floor and the third floor and I see people I know. The players couldn't come because they are obviously preparing for the match. But again I repeat, for ninety minutes I know nobody. Before the game I know everyone and I love them, and after the game I know everyone and I love them, but not during the game."
Inter go into tomorrow night's game after a 3-1 away defeat at Catania. "I don't think it will affect us," said Mourinho. "We know what happened, when it started, in what way some teams dropped points and others didn't, but what happens tomorrow is out of this context. It's a small final tomorrow."
Once again, the Portuguese put an end to any talk of a move away from Milan in the short run when asked for the umpteenth time this season if he has any desire to return to the Premier League: "It's always the same story and normally it creates some doubts. As I say always, I have three things to do in my career: one, to go back to English football; two, to win the Spanish championship because no one has won the Italian, English and Spanish championships; and three, when I'm old, to coach my national team. Which one would I like to do first? Keep winning with Inter."
And will he still be the Special One if Inter lose tomorrow? "I think I will still be when I'm seventy years old because I want to coach as long as Trapattoni and I will still have things to prove. That's my motivation, so tomorrow after the game, I will still be the Special One."
According to all reports, the knee injury which stopped him visiting Catania is no longer an issue. Marco Materazzi has told the press his ommission is purely a tactical one. Mourinho refused to get caught up in questions about it saying only he didn't need to talk about Super Mario as he won't be on the bench tonight.
Down to the game... Drogba's threat will surely be monitored heavily as in the first leg. Lucio and the Wall will surely have their hands full with Didier and Anelka.
Inter will need one hell of a performance if they intend to sit back and play for the 0-0 draw. It will need to be another brilliant defensive performance from the centre-backs.
Maicon's threat is always there, even if he has dropped a touch over the past year. However, in Ivanovic, Chelsea also have one of the world's in-form full-backs.
Hopefully we see an Inter not scared to play good counter-attacking football at the least if Mourinho wants to sit back a bit. With Cambiasso a ball-winner and Sneijder a ball-player, this Inter team should not think twice about playing attacking football - especially with the quality of strikers on hand. Regardless of how out-of-form he is, if Samuel Eto'o has been spending time on the bench, it says a lot about Inter's strikeforce. Hopefully tomorrow they speak up.
These are the Telegraph's probable lineups.
Probable teams
Chelsea (4-3-3): Turnbull; Ivanovic, Terry, Carvalho, Zhirkov; Ballack, Mikel, Lampard; Anelka, Drogba, Malouda. Inter Milan (4-1-2-1-2): Cesar; Maicon, Samuel, Lucio, Zanetti; Cambiasso; Stankovic, Thiago Motta; Sneijder; Eto'o, Milito.
Referee: W Stark (Germany).
Chelsea4thewin wrote:i dont think any team in the world deserves to lose on penalties, its just the only way to find a winner in some circumstances
i wont go on about the Pique handball, but how the ref missed it is beyond me, the chelsea and Barca players pretty much stopped because they knew it was a penalty, the ref was the only one that missed it, i still am convinced he was under instructions not to give us anything
loppermann you just like to push peoples buttons with what you say and get a reaction, i dont really care what your opinion is on any matter, u seem like an immature child looking for attention, pathetic really
Nah he's just a cabernet ref, he did it again against Fiorentina the other week.
He's the lopperman of the refereeing world.
Again a bit of luck here and there is all it takes MUFCBOY, you guys just got it in the final ( much like when Porto beat you due to Tim Howards slip in the CL).
lol, oh that stings
such a crack up to see how raged you lads get
I enjoy your point of view.
Tommy: We've lost Gorgeous George.
Brick Top: Well, where'd you lose him? He ain't a set of fucking car keys now, is he? And it ain't as if he's incon-fucking-spicuous now, is it?
nachoman wrote:obi one mikel in the midfield is our weakpoint
good to have Zhirkov in at left back ,
just one?
Terry's on pitch performance has mirrored his personal life, Zhirkov's been less than impressive, as well as Deco.
With Lucio having figured out Drogba and Malouda very hot and cold, I think you could kiss the UCL goodbye
Disregard form with Inter, Jose knows how to bring the A game in big games. Both teams are evenly balanced with strong and weak points. Honestly luck is going to be involved in this game and could decide the game. Nervous times for both Inter and Chelski supporters.
Absolute shiraz,thiago motta is a twat all he's good at is milking free kicks and rolling around on the ground as if his legs have been sawn off,don't even rate him.Drogba was hard done by again after another rugby tackle in the box.Inter were ordinary,ref was shit at best typical game full of cheatn bastards.Best team lost.
"I was a childhood genius but suffered from ADD i invented dice and bubble wrap when i was 6 years of age and the money was put in a trust fund until i was 30- when I was 30 i got the money i went Las vegas and blew 90% of it in the first week"
It's taken him half a season, but Samuel Eto'o has shown why he was purchased! That was a finish worthy of his reputation.
Sneijder was incredible with some of his distribution, even with his back to his attackers. Hard to criticise Milito IMO, he's been so prolific this season, but today the bounce of the ball just didn't go his way.
The defenders must be commended once again. Drogba was odds on to score in both legs of the tie and was limited to one big chance off the bar.
Lucio's presence will be missed, especially seeing it's highly likely there'll be another situation where he and Samuel would have to work as one as they have here. If we're drawn to one of the other giants left, it could seriously be a problem... although any of the coaches will look to hurt Inter there.
Maicon worried Chelsea today. Even if he was wasteful and not as prolific as he's capable of, he at least gave them something to worry about when he had the chance!
It's a big day for Inter, it's HUGE for Italian football. So long as Juve progress on Friday, Serie A should be ok for another season.
Thanks for that crap report Bovver, ill give you an unbiased report now.
Inter were good until about 20 minutes till half time and then Chelsea were a bit stiff to only go in on level terms, should have been ahead, but good defending, goalkeeping and crap finishing cost them.
A good first ten minutes from Chelsea in the second half then they ran out of ideas, Inter were the smarter team, better coached and overall deserved to win or go through. As for Motta, yes thats what Sth Americans do best, but there is no one better than Drogba or Ronaldo before him and they both played EPL. So moot point you redneck.
Anyone that says Sneijder is over rated doesnt know much about football, every Inter chance went through him. World clarshhhh ball for the goal.
Malouda did ok, but over the course of the game Maicon won that battle.
Lampard very very ordinary and Terry has problems. England better leave him home if he is going to turn up in Sth Africa with that form.
Ivanovic, Zhirkov, and Mikel all played average. John Terry and Alex were for the most part solid.
Chelsea have always relied on a strong defense, it hasn't been strong, and that means against quality opposition they're not going to win.
Another point on Mikel. Today once again proved he is not good enough, Sneijder ripped that defense apart with his through balls, Essien would have tracked, kicked, pushed, done anything to stop him, Mikel just strolled up and watched the ball go over his head.
Ancelotti's substitutes were questionable again, but in his defense it's a depleted squad.
Well done Ross Turnbull, made an excellent save at the end to deny Eto'o, couldn't do anything about the goal.
by the end Chelsea ran out of puff. They started just thumping the ball long, by that point i knew they were finished.
Full credit to Mourinho, saw our weaknesses, knew our players, and as has made some brilliant purchases over the summer.
Thiago Motta is a wanker, but he's a typical time-wasting professional like everyone else in Italy.
Well done Inter.
EDIT: also like to point out that Maicon had a great game. Our two biggest holes were Cole and Essien, Maicon and Sneijder played superbly and i'd say that has a bit to do with it. I hope Michael can get back in time for the Man U game, the African Nations Cup has cost us again!
Last edited by Litmanen on Wed Mar 17, 2010 8:48 am, edited 1 time in total.
Scudetto8687 wrote:Thanks for that crap report Bovver, ill give you an unbiased report now.
Scudetto8687 wrote:
Inter were good until about 20 minutes till half time and then Chelsea were a bit stiff to only go in on level terms, should have been ahead, but good defending, goalkeeping and crap finishing cost them.
A good first ten minutes from Chelsea in the second half then they ran out of ideas, Inter were the smarter team, better coached and overall deserved to win or go through. As for Motta, yes thats what Sth Americans do best, but there is no one better than Drogba or Ronaldo before him and they both played EPL. So moot point you redneck.
Anyone that says Sneijder is over rated doesnt know much about football, every Inter chance went through him. World clarshhhh ball for the goal.
Malouda did ok, but over the course of the game Maicon won that battle.
Lampard very very ordinary and Terry has problems. England better leave him home if he is going to turn up in Sth Africa with that form.
Agree with that I'd probably add that before Chelsea had their cameo in the last 15 of the first half I thought we looked like we'd score first.
Also Kalou gave Chelsea a sniff for a few minutes then Cambiasso, Zanetti and Mourinho sorted it out.
Disappointing to hear the whinging about time wasting, sounds like soreloseritis to me
I don't like lies. I have understood your market where sometimes lies sell more than truth. This is your life and I don't like it. I understand your work and I have to work with you, but the protection of my group is much more important than you
Litmanen wrote:Ivanovic, Zhirkov, and Mikel all played average. John Terry and Alex were for the most part solid.
Chelsea have always relied on a strong defense, it hasn't been strong, and that means against quality opposition they're not going to win.
Another point on Mikel. Today once again proved he is not good enough, Sneijder ripped that defense apart with his through balls, Essien would have tracked, kicked, pushed, done anything to stop him, Mikel just strolled up and watched the ball go over his head.
Ancelotti's substitutes were questionable again, but in his defense it's a depleted squad.
Well done Ross Turnbull, made an excellent save at the end to deny Eto'o, couldn't do anything about the goal.
by the end Chelsea ran out of puff. They started just thumping the ball long, by that point i knew they were finished.
Full credit to Mourinho, saw our weaknesses, knew our players, and as has made some brilliant purchases over the summer.
Thiago Motta is a wanker, but he's a typical time-wasting professional like everyone else in Italy.
Well done Inter.
Its all ethnic people actually.
Why dont you just cleanse the world of them.
Remember your best ever player is Italian you ingrate.
Token wrote:Disregard form with Inter, Jose knows how to bring the A game in big games. Both teams are evenly balanced with strong and weak points.
Best comment in the topic
I don't like lies. I have understood your market where sometimes lies sell more than truth. This is your life and I don't like it. I understand your work and I have to work with you, but the protection of my group is much more important than you
Litmanen wrote:Ivanovic, Zhirkov, and Mikel all played average. John Terry and Alex were for the most part solid.
Chelsea have always relied on a strong defense, it hasn't been strong, and that means against quality opposition they're not going to win.
Another point on Mikel. Today once again proved he is not good enough, Sneijder ripped that defense apart with his through balls, Essien would have tracked, kicked, pushed, done anything to stop him, Mikel just strolled up and watched the ball go over his head.
Ancelotti's substitutes were questionable again, but in his defense it's a depleted squad.
Well done Ross Turnbull, made an excellent save at the end to deny Eto'o, couldn't do anything about the goal.
by the end Chelsea ran out of puff. They started just thumping the ball long, by that point i knew they were finished.
Full credit to Mourinho, saw our weaknesses, knew our players, and as has made some brilliant purchases over the summer.
Thiago Motta is a wanker, but he's a typical time-wasting professional like everyone else in Italy.
Well done Inter.
Its all ethnic people actually.
Why dont you just cleanse the world of them.
Remember your best ever player is Italian you ingrate.
Mate i wished everyone would stop doing it. Everyone says Drogba is bad etc, these guys are alot worse, alot worse than C.ronaldo, alot worse than anything i've seen. I should have rephraised it for you, it's teams in the Serie A, not Italian players. They should hang their heads in shame. Zola didn't ever dive you're right. I'll take him out of the equation.
There's the red card incident too. Drogba is an idiot. The ref is a bigger idiot for not sending them both off. Motta clearly intentionally jumped on him..
