Mourinho Returns to “The Bridge”
Mourinho Returns to “The Bridge”
By Dominic Vieira
The Legend Returns Home…
The final four matches of the Champions League last 16 are played this week. Tonight all eyes will be on the Chelsea vs Inter Milan match, as it will be the first time Mourinho returns to Stamford Bridge. But that is not the only match on tonight’s agenda, Sevilla vs CSKA Moscow also promises a game full of excitement with tension and goals. Both games are at the usual kickoff time, 19:45 (GMT).
Chelsea vs Inter Milan (1-2 Aggregate)
Inter won the first leg at San Siro but that was history. Chelsea must perform tonight and will need to play at their best. Inter Milan are under pressure to win the Champions League and Mourinho is not planning on leaving his old home with a draw, he too wants to win. Inter are travelling to this match with a heavy defeat against Catania still fresh in their minds and Mourinho must pull the team together and motivate for a win. Chelsea is incredibly strong at home and they are major contenders to win the competition this year; the London based club has been in this position many times before and they have the quality and experience to deliver the goods. It is going to be an intense and highly tactical match.
Both teams will be missing men, but Chelsea certainly are missing many key players. Ashley Cole, Essien, Bosingwa, Cech and Hilario will all miss the close encounter. Ross Turnbull will remain in goal and will be boosted by the return of experience centre back Ricardo Carvalho, he will be partnering with John Terry. One man can make a huge difference on the pitch tonight and all eyes will certainly be starting at Didier Drogba who is in superb form and is goal-hungry. Inter Milan will be missing Motta, Balotelli and Arnautovic; they are not missing many key players, which may give them advantage, but if they are to win then Sneider and Milito must be at the top of their game; they can potentially be the match winners on the night.
Line-Ups
Chelsea (4-4-2): Turnbull, Ivanovic, Terry, Carvalho, Zhirkov; Malouda, Ballack, Lampard, Joe Cole; Drogba, Anelka
Inter Milan (4-4-2 Diamond): Julio Cesar; Maicon, Lucio, Samuel, Zanetti; Cambiasso, Mariga, Stankovic, Sneijder; Eto'o, Milito
Prediction: Chelsea 1 – 3 Inter Milan, without Cech in goal Chelsea is not the same side and I don’t believe Turnbull will perform well playing against Eto’o and Milito. However, Inter Milan must watch out for Lampard and Ballack in the middle as they are the conductors of the Chelsea team, they pull the string and if Mariga and Cambiasso don’t mark them tightly they will suffer. Even though I predicted a victory to Inter, I believe that the first goal will be crucial, who gets it may well take the game with them. The match will be a complete 90 minute battle, where tactics will play a key role and risks must be taken. If Inter approach this game over confident they may well leave surprised and defeated. To conclude, Inter Milan have intelligent and world class players who will be fully concentrated on the game and they will be able to beat Chelsea at home. On a final note, Inter Milan have José Mourinho, will he seek revenge?
