Hema Kanani previews the first of two titanic matches as Chelsea take on Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan in the Champions League.
The prodigal son will return to Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, March 16.
Before that, tomorrow night, the Blues enter the lion’s den which is the San Siro as Chelsea face Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan in the Champions League knockout stage 1st leg.
This is a make or break situation for the ‘Special One’.
Inter Milan have been yearning for the Champion League title for years - 45 to be exact.
Considering Jose has apparently approached many of the Chelsea players to come and join him at Inter, will he use his inside knowledge to bring them down? He certainly hopes so.
How will Chelsea react to this situation - will his former players show Mourinho too much respect and not deliver on the field?
Mourinho is a master tactician and he knows Chelsea’s weak points and, of course, strengths.
He will set up his team accordingly to ensure that he has the best chance of going through over two legs.
Mourinho has changed since he left the Premiership - Italy’s Serie A is a different kettle of fish.
But in his first season there, it was business as usual as he won the league - and agains last season.
He has however failed in their Champions Leagu ecampaigns.
Has he learnt from his mistakes?
He has now built a solid, compact and flexible team.
He sold Ibrahimovic in the summer and replaced him with Samuel Eto, Diego Milito and Wesley Sneijder, and he has the formidable talents of the hot-headed young Italian Mario Balotelli to call on.
This team is highly dangerous in the counter attack and Chelsea must be aware of this if they are to take something from the game which will give them a good chance of progressing.
Chelsea have been on top form lately however, will their winning streak continue?
Jose Mourinho knows the individual brilliance within the Londoners’ side.
And there are a few players like Ricardo Carvalho and Deco who have played with him at Porto.
Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has faced Mourinho in the Milan derbies and the games have always been fierce on and off the field.
This may be Mourinho's greatest challenge but also one that could give him the greatest satisfaction - revenge on Ancelotti and also on the club that sacked him so unceremoniously.
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