Match Preview: Chelsea vs. Inter Milan

At the start of the season Chelsea were one of the favourites for the Champions League trophy, and indeed they have looked good in Europe this campaign, although suspicions persist as to whether they were truly tested in the group stages. Therefore, Inter were their first main test in Europe's premier club competition and they did expressed their calibre and quality a fortnight ago.

Inter might have won the first leg of their Round of 16 tie 2-1 in Milan, but Chelsea weren't particularly bad and do have a valuable away goal, which Carlo Ancelotti and the rest of the Chelsea unit will be quick to point out as a potentially crucial factor in how the two sides approach the game on Tuesday evening. Chelsea know that they have to score to progress, while a draw will be good enough for the Nerazzurri.

The Premier League side have failed to make it to the semi-finals only once in the past six years and reached the final in 2008. Last season the Blues were knocked out in the semis by Barcelona on the away goals rule. Chelsea are going strong in the Premier League this campaign too, as they are currently second in the table, two points behind leaders Manchester United with a game in hand.

Inter have not gone past the Round of 16 in the Champions League for the past three seasons and in each of the last two campaigns they have fallen to English opposition. Last season they went out 2-0 on aggregate to Manchester United as a 0-0 scoreline at home was followed by a 2-0 defeat at Old Trafford. In 2007-2008 it was Liverpool who knocked them out.

But this time Inter do have a genuine chance of progressing in Europe's top tier club competition. They might have conceded an away goal, but they have a one-goal advantage going to Stamford Bridge. If the Italian champions of the last four seasons can strengthen their backline and soak up pressure playing in a traditional Italian style, then they will be confident of getting a 0-0 draw and going through.

Jose Mourinho never lost a league game at the Bridge when he was the coach of Chelsea, losing only once there in all competitions, and this will be his first return to his old stomping ground since leaving the Blues in 2007. He has proclaimed his affection for Chelsea but will certainly be looking to knock out his former club.


FORM GUIDE

Chelsea

March 13 v West Ham United (H) - WON 4-1 (Premier League)
March 7 v Stoke City (H) - WON 2-0 (FA Cup)
February 27 v Manchester City (H) - LOST 4-2 (Premier League)
February 24 v Inter (A) - LOST 2-1 (Champions League)
February 20 v Wolverhampton Wanderers (A) - WON 2-0 (Premier League)

Inter

March 12 v Catania (A) - LOST 3-1 (Serie A)
March 7 v Genoa (H) - DREW 0-0 (Serie A)
February 28 v Udinese (A) - WON 3-2 (Serie A)
February 24 v Chelsea (H) - WON 2-1 (Champions League)
February 20 v Sampdoria (H) - DREW 0-0 (Serie A)


TEAM NEWS

Chelsea

Yuri Zhirkov and Deco should both be available after having recovered from their respective injuries. Jose Bosingwa, Ashley Cole and Michael Essien are long-term injury casualties, while Ricardo Carvalho is out with a hamstring injury. Both Petr Cech and Henrique Hilario are suffering from injuries, meaning that Ross Turnbull could be given a start.

Probable Lineup (4-5-1): Turnbull, Ivanovic, Terry, Alex, Zhirkov; Malouda, Ballack, Mikel, Lampard, Kalou; Drogba

Inter

Cristian Chivu is out with injury but Marco Materazzi is back. Davide Santon was not part of the Inter squad that lost to Catania on Friday and doubts persist on whether he will be taken to London. Mario Balotelli, who has struggled with injuries in recent times, is reportedly out of the squad for Tuesday's game.

Probable Lineup (4-3-1-2): Julio Cesar; Maicon, Lucio, Samuel, Zanetti; Cambiasso, Mariga, Stankovic; Sneijder; Eto'o, Milito


PLAYERS TO WATCH

Didier Drogba (Chelsea)

The Ivorian international striker has been in excellent form so far this season and has 21 goals and six assists in 24 Premier League games, with three goals in the Champions League. He wasn't perhaps very prominent in the first leg against Inter at San Siro but Drogba will certainly be a huge threat at Stamford Bridge. Inter's otherwise strong defensive unit exhibited cracks on Friday night when they conceded three goals in Catania and the Drog, placed sixth in the Castrol Rankings, will be eager to take advantage of any defensive slip-up on Tuesday evening.

Diego Milito (Inter)

The much under-rated Argentine international striker scored in the first leg in Milan and made England international central defender John Terry look average. Milito has scored 16 goals and given three assists in 26 matches in Serie A and has struck twice in the Champions League. The 30-year-old has not accomplished much in Europe and as such he will be keen to light up the continent. Milito's attacking instincts, shooting accuracy and ability to hold the ball up and bring his team-mates into play will be an important feature for nter against a confident Chelsea side.

Chelsea Boss Carlo Ancelotti Vows To Break Jose Mourinho's Unbeaten Record At Inter

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti is determined for his team to end Inter's record under Jose Mourinho of never losing back-to-back matches.

The Italian giants were beaten 3-1 at the weekend by Catania in Serie A, but Ancelotti is refusing to see this as a sign that winning will be easy.

Victory is necessary though, as the Blues are 2-1 down from the first leg at the San Siro.

"We will go out of our way to break that run," Ancelotti said on Monday, when reminded of Inter's record under Mourinho

"Losing their last game could put them under pressure but on the other hand the fact that they have now got to turn around that result and react well can urge the players on to react immediately.

"We mustn't think about Inter being out of form. They have shown themselves to be a top quality team and are very strong. We have to prepare for an Inter team that is playing their best football."

Ancelotti also confirmed that Ross Turnbull would be in goal for the hosts as Petr Cech and Hilario are both still injured.

"It's not possible for Cech or Hilario to recover, so Turnbull will play and Rhys Taylor will stay on the bench like on Saturday," he explained.

"There's no chance of me taking a risk on Cech. Turnbull is a confident lad and we have confidence in him. Until now, Cech has not trained so it's impossible that he might play tomorrow.

"We have to play well as a team. Cech is injured, but Turnbull is a good goalkeeper who has played very well this season and improved every day.

"So, for me, it's not a problem. Cech has more experience than Turnbull for sure, but Ross is young and has enthusiasm to play. He wants to play and, for him, this will be a great, great experience."

There would still be time for a little socialising after the game though, depsite the intensity of the occasion.

"For sure if Mourinho wants a glass of wine after the game we can have a good conversation," Ancelotti smiled.

"This will happen regardless of the result."

Drogba: Make Some Noise

Didier Drogba has appealed to all Chelsea fans heading to Stamford Bridge on Tuesday to take up position early and help make it a night to remember.

Anyone present for recent memorable Champions League nights in SW6, such as the victory over Barcelona in 2005 or the Drogba-inspired conquests of Liverpool in the past two seasons, knows the Bridge on such occasions can be a cauldron of noise and colour, and our leading scorer emphasises the benefits of a repeat on the team's chances against Inter cannot be underestimated.

'Tuesday is very important for the club, the Champions League is a competition we really want to win,' Drogba said, talking to Chelsea TV.

'I want to send a message to all the fans to come and make some noise on Tuesday and be behind us.'

The match will see first and second-places in the African Player of the Year, announced last week, go head to head as Drogba attempts to outscore Samuel Eto'o.

'I am very happy. I was not expecting this type of present,' Drogba said on winning the continental accolade.

'Eto'o is a fantastic player and I know on Tuesday he is going to come here and do his best. He had a great season [with Barcelona] but they gave the award to me and I am happy.

'I was the first player from the Ivory Coast to win the award and I have done it twice and it is amazing because I know what it means to the country. It is an amazing year for Africa [with the World Cup] and to be best player in Africa is fantastic and I hope there is more to come.'

Drogba is also one of the favourites to win Player of the Year in England given the goal-laden season he is enjoying and Chelsea's push for honours, but he remains cautious.

'It is a new challenge and would be great but for that I think we have to win something like the Champions League. It is very important for me and the club to win major trophies first and then to be Player of the Year would be fantastic.'

Flags or scarves will be laid out at seats around the stadium for tomorrow's game but please bring your own colour and singing voices, and please arrive early to raise the temperature ahead of kick-off.

Malouda: Focused On Football

In-form Florent Malouda believes past allegiances will be no distraction for Chelsea's players when they step out at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday evening.

The 29-year-old Frenchman, who scored one and laid on two others in Saturday's 4-1 win over West Ham insists Jose Mourinho's return to west London as manager of opponents Inter is a far bigger deal for supporters than it is for players.

'It is more important for the fans than the players, we as players just want to beat Inter, that's the main thing,' Malouda said. 'It will be an emotional game for him but for us, as you can see from the first game, it was not disturbing for the players here at Chelsea.

'We are not thinking about history, we are trying to make history. We don't care about the past, we are just looking to win and go through tomorrow evening.'

If we are to progress to the Champions League last eight we must overturn a 2-1 deficit from the first leg in the San Siro. However we must not rush our play, according to the former Lyon man.

'We scored an away goal so normally we just need one goal to go through and I think wemust have patience against Inter and keep the balance of the team, so we won't rush to score an early goal, we have to be clever in this game and score, I hope, more than one goal,' he said.

'We have the experience of the first game where we had opportunities and just want to take those opportunities and score to go through.'

It is obvious from Malouda's relaxed demeanour that the afterglow from Saturday remains, and he was in relaxed mood alongside manager Carlo Ancelotti as he fielded questions in the Chelsea museum, temporarily converted to stage a pre-match press conference for the season's biggest game so far.

Asked to analyse the differences between Ancelotti and Mourinho, for whom he played just a couple of months under, Malouda responded light-heartedly, receiving a playful dig in the ribs from his coach, and the promise of a return to left-back duties if he kept it up.

'Physical differences?' he said, to laughter all around. 'It is difficult to answer, I didn't work with Jose for too much time but I appreciate both, and I would say that they both have a lot of experience as manager. There are so many differences I cannot answer the question, I just hope that Carlo will make me win my first Champions League.

'Both managers are trying to give the players they manage the ability to have confidence in their qualities and to use them at the right time,' he continued, straight face now on. 'That's the way they manage their team, they are close to their players and help get the best out of you when you play.'

Chelsea Deny Cole Reports

Chelsea have denied reports that defender Ashley Cole will not feature again this season and is behind schedule in his bid to recover from a broken ankle.

Cole suffered the injury to his left foot in the Blues' 2-1 defeat to Everton in February and recently returned from rehabilitation in France following an operation, which is understood to have been a success.

A report in a Sunday newspaper claimed that the England international could miss the remainder of the season and put his World Cup participation in doubt, but Chelsea have moved to quash the story.

The article also suggested that even the most optimistic reports from the Stamford Bridge medical team put his chances of making the England squad as "touch and go".

But describing such a claim as "nonsense", a Chelsea spokesman said: "The club's medical staff are delighted with Ashley's operation and the treatment he's received so far.

"Contrary to reports, he's recovering extremely well from his injury and he's bang on schedule."

Cole is set to return prior to the end of the season and stake a claim for a place in Fabio Capello's plans.

The defender remains his country's first-choice left-back following Wayne Bridge's decision to rule himself out of contention for England selection.

Portugal Offering An Escape Route For Troubled Keeper Henrique Hilario

Chelsea supporters may not have much confidence in Henrique Hilario, but it seems their feelings are not shared by Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz.

And, when it comes to being popular, it is a safe assumption Hilario would prefer to have the backing of his national team manager than the Stamford Bridge faithful.

Not least because there is a World Cup coming up in June, when Hilario expects to be part of Queiroz's squad competing in South Africa. And the trophy is not the only thing at stake for Hilario.

He knows he could find himself in the most viewed shop-window of all time and that a string of good performances will not only win over some of his doubters, but probably secure him a multi-million pound move to a new club to end his misery in the Premier League.

No footballer would ever want to hear themselves described as 'not as bad as people think he is' or a 'weak link' or, worse still, 'a total liability.'

Yet these are just some of the descriptions attributed to the former Porto and Nacional keeper of late due to his faltering form for Carlo Ancelotti's side.

Yet he kept a clean sheet in Chelsea's FA Cup quarter-final triumph over Stoke City and many a goalkeeper has perished against Tony Pulis's side this season.

Ridicule appears to follow him like a shadow, however, with there being a genuine disparity between his performances on the pitch and the criticism he receives off it.

Yet it seems Hilario has support in high places, just when he needs it. He remains in a fierce battle with three rivals to claim the back-up goalkeeping place to Eduardo in Queiroz's final squad.

Rui Patricio, Jose Moreira, Daniel Fernandes and Beto will also fancy their chances, but it seems Hilario remains at the forefront of Queiroz's thoughts after winning his first international cap in their 2-0 victory over China in an international friendly.

He played the second half of the game, kept a clean sheet and remains second in line. Queiroz said: "He has done well considering he hasn't always been first choice with his club. But he has experience and this counts for a lot."

Chelsea's first team coach Ray Wilkins added: "Supporters nowadays will always have a pop at the errors and as a goalkeeper, when you make a mistake you've lost a goal. But Hilario is experienced enough to come through all that."

Mourinho - I Don't Lose At The Bridge

Jose Mourinho is expecting a happy return to Chelsea, insisting he does not lose at Stamford Bridge.

The Portuguese coach enjoyed three trophy-laden years in charge of the Blues between 2004-07.

His success in England was built on the most formidable of home records, with Chelsea rarely tested never mind beaten in their own backyard.

Mourinho is set to return to west London on Tuesday with his current employers Inter Milan, with the Italians looking to defend a slender lead from the first leg of their UEFA Champions League clash.

A place in the quarter-finals of Europe's premier club competition is up for grabs, with Inter holding a 2-1 advantage.

Mourinho is confident the Serie A giants will be the ones to book a place in the last eight, with his record at Stamford Bridge suggesting the Blues have it all to do.

"Everybody knows Mourinho doesn't lose at Stamford Bridge," he said.

"My record is unbeatable. It is amazing - we were so strong for such a long time."

While Mourinho is keen to drag up the past ahead of the crunch clash, Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack has warned that his mind games will not work.

The Germany international insists the Portuguese coach is 'history' and will not be allowed to stand in the way of the Blues' quest to land the only major trophy to have eluded them over recent years.

"Jose won two League titles, that is why he is so popular here," said Ballack.

"But that is history and now we have a new coach, with new players.

"This competition is the one we couldn't win until now. That is why we are so hungry."