Inter going on!

LONDON (AFP) - Jose Mourinho insisted Inter Milan's 1-0 victory - 3-1 on aggregate - over his former club Chelsea in the Champions League on Tuesday was just reward for the perfect performance.

Mourinho savoured a moment of sweet revenge for his sacking as Chelsea boss in September 2007 as Samuel Eto'o's late goal at Stamford Bridge sent the Blues crashing out of Europe's elite club competition at the last 16 stage.

The Portuguese coach, who won five major trophies in three years with Chelsea, crafted a brilliant game-plan to frustrate Carlo Ancelotti's side and he admitted his Inter players carried it out to the letter.

"I am very happy because we won and we were the best team. Sometimes in football you win because you were lucky and sometimes you win because you are the best team from the first minute until the last. That is the perfect win. That team was my team," Mourinho said.

"I think everything was superior. Chelsea had reactions of frustration, of a team that felt the opposition was superior. Our team started the second half in an incredible way.

"We were the best team by far. Chelsea is a great team, we know that and we came here knowing very well the way they play. We knew that if you don't control the game by having the ball you have no chance.

"Every player performed at the highest level to win here, this must be almost a perfect performance. We deserve so much this victory, we were the best team."

Mourinho had promised not to celebrate if Inter won, but he leapt to his feet when Eto'o scored and then hurried down the tunnel at full-time to enjoy the moment with his players in the dressing room.

"I celebrated a lot in the dressing room when the game was over. It was a big victory for my team," Mourinho said.

"As I have said before, I am a professional, I love Chelsea, I love this stadium, I love these people but I am a professional.

"Who knows, in the future I may coach another English team and I will come here again as an opponent."

Ancelotti was brought to Chelsea by owner Roman Abramovich with the specific aim of ending the club's long wait to be crowned kings of Europe, but instead the Blues have bowed out in the last 16 for the first time since 2006.

The Italian has never been on good terms with Mourinho but he conceded Inter were well worth their victory and, with Abramovich perhaps in mind, he apologised for Chelsea's premature exit.

"Inter deserved to win. They played a very good game. They put strong pressure on our midfielders and we were not capable of playing how we wanted," Ancelotti said.

"We were never fully in control during the game. There were only a few moments when we could control it. I think we could play better.

"We are very sorry, but this is the reality. I am disappointed because we are out of a very important competition but I want to say best wishes to Inter because I have nothing against them or Mourinho."

The result was a tactical triumph for Mourinho but Ancelotti insisted he had not been out-witted by the Inter coach.

"I wasn't surprised by Mourinho's tactics. One thing I was surpised by was the hard work put in by the two wide players, Eto'o and Pandev," he added.

Chelsea - Inter 16.03.2010

Without trying to making a hyperbolic statement, Chelsea's Champions League clash with Inter on Tuesday threatens to be the Blues' biggest game of the season.

The elusive trophy, that the west London side were a John Terry slipped penalty away from in 2008, would be the final piece in a silverware jigsaw that makes up the Stamford Bridge trophy cabinet.

And fate dictates that it should be Jose Mourinho - the former king of Stamford Bridge - who should stand in Chelsea's way of another crack at Holy Grail of the Champions League.

Mourinho's Inter side carry a lead 2-1 from the first leg of this round-of-16 clash to his former stomping ground and will be keen to remind Chelsea fans he remains the 'Special One' - while at the same time trying to mastermind a first Italian capture of the trophy since 2007.

Inter have never lifted the Champions League trophy, since its re-branding in 1992, and an aggregate victory on Tuesday night would take the bullish Portuguese manager one step closer to winning the cup the Nerazzurri last claimed in 1965 when it was the European Cup.

The first leg victory for Inter exposed woeful cracks in a previously tight Chelsea defense, with John Terry looking a shadow of his former self, and since then Chelsea have stumbled domestically, losing handsomely to Manchester City before beating weak West Ham and Stoke sides less-than-convincingly.

Those results seem to have handed the initiative back to Manchester United in the Premier League, but Blues fans would walk the Premier League trophy to Old Trafford if it meant getting a hand on the European Cup.

Taking the cup back to west London would be validation for Roman Abramovich's millions poured into the club over the past few years, but losing out to their arrogant former boss will be hard to swallow.

News:

Chelsea

Third-choice goalkeeper Ross Turnbull will face the biggest test of his career when he lines up to face Inter, thanks to injuries to Petr Cech and Henrique Hilario. Turnbull was between the sticks for the 4-1 win over West Ham at the weekend and his only Champions League experience to date is a 2-2 draw with Greek minnows Apoel Nicosia.

There is better news for Blues manager Carlo Ancelotti in defense, where Ricardo Carvalho returns following a hamstring staring. Ancelotti has no fresh injury doubts elsewhere, with Michael Essien (knee), Ashley Cole (ankle), Jose Bosingwa (knee) all still sidelined for the Stamford Bridge return leg.

Last starting XI (v West Ham): Turnbull, Ferreira, Terry, Alex, Ivanovic, Malouda, Lampard, Mikel, Ballack, Drogba, Anelka.

Inter

Striker Mario Balotelli hasn't traveled with the team to London, although quite why remains a mystery to the temperamental Italian's agent. "I don't know why he has not been called up. I will find out," Mino Raiola vowed.

Meanwhile, Julio Cesar was involved in a minor car accident over the weekend but is expected to be fit to take his place in goal.

Defender Cristian Chivu is out with a fractured skull and David Santon has a knee problem, so Javier Zanetti will line up on the left side of defense.

Last starting XI (v Catania): Cesar, Maicon, Lucio, Materazzi, Zanetti, Stankovic, Cambiasso, Mariga, Sneijder, Milito, Eto'o.

PREDICTION

Chelsea's desperation to win the Champions League should see the Blues come out of the blocks strongly, roared on by a vociferous Stamford Bridge crowd. But Jose Mourinho is a man who knows what it's like to lift the trophy - having done so in 2004 with Porto - and also knows Chelsea almost as well a current boss Carlo Ancelotti does.

Chelsea's home record is impressive, but Inter know they have a simple task - stop the Blues, and more accurately Dider Drogba, from scoring and the tie is theirs.

It will be close, and it will be fiercely fought, but fortune seems to favor the Italians on this occasion.

source: goal.com

Inter - Chelsea Champions league match - Jose Mourinho quotes in croatian

Portugalac Jose Mourinho mogao je likovati nakon pobjede 2:1 u prvoj utakmici osmine finala Lige prvaka. Inter je bio bolji od Chelsea-ja.

"Startali smo od 0:0, sada je 2:1. To bi trebalo značiti da smo u prednosti, zar ne", rekao je Mourinho

"Nemojte zaboraviti da je Inter u zadnje vrijeme uvijek gubio prvu utakmicu u Ligi prvaka. Od Valencije, Liverpoola i Manchester Uniteda. Sada smo dobili, imamo zaleđe u prvih 90 minuta, ali to je samo prvo poluvrijeme. Čeka nas rješenje i odluka o svemu na Stamford Bridgeu. Isto tako, ne zaboravite da smo dobili momčad koja u zadnjih 14 utakmica Lige prvaka nije izgubila utakmicu. "

"Kontrolirali smo utakmicu. Znam da piše kako je Chelsea imao više udaraca, no osim grede Drogbe i prilike Lamparda ne sjećam se neke prave šanse Chelseaja. Mi smo ih imali malo više od njih", riječi su Portugalca uz zaključak: "Dolazak na Stamford Bridge će biti jako emotivan za mene, znam to jako dobro. No, tamo odlazim odraditi posao. Pobijediti."

"Nikada nisam izgubio na Stamford Bridgeu"

"Mourinho ne gubi na Stamford Bridgeu", progovorio je o sebi Jose Mourinho

"Jako sam sretan, naravno da jesam. Još odmah nakon ždrijeba sam isticao da kao profesionalac žarko želim pobijediti svoj bivši klub Chelsea. Želim ih pobijediti više od bilo koga drugoga"

izjavio je Mourinho

Nije se složio da je dvoboj na San Siru ponudio veliku taktičku bitku.

"Nije to bio nikakav taktički dvoboj, već tipična utakmica Lige prvaka između dva velika kluba odigrana na visokoj razini. Nismo ničime iznenadili, kao niti Chelsea. Samo smo odigrali veliku utakmicu, jedni i drugi. Igračima sam uoči dvoboja rekao:"Chelsea nije bolji od nas, samo je drukčiji. Oni imaju neke kvalitete koje mi nemamo, kao i obratno". Prema tome, mogao se očekivati rezultat 1-1, 2-1, 1-0 ili 0-1, kao i u većini utakmica u Ligi prvaka. U ovoj fazi ionako nitko nije pobijedio s dva gola razlike" – komentirao je portugalski strateg.

Mourinho nije dao precizan stav o prekršaju Interovog braniča Waltera Samuela nad Salomonom Kalouom u kaznenom prostoru domaćina u posljednjim trenucima prvog poluvremena, kod rezultata 1-0 za Inter."Događaj se zbio daleko od mene, nisam dobro vidio. A nisam još pogledao snimku na TV".

Inter manager Jose Mourinho has received a three game ban and was fined 40,000 EURO after strongly criticising official persons

Jose Mourinho made "handcuffs" gesture after Inter's players Samuel and Cordoba were sent off and Samuel Eto'o got yellow card against Sampdoria.

The gesture has been interpreted as a way of suggesting his side have been victimised by referees in Serie A.

Mourinho had also insulted the officials at half-time on the way to the dressing room.

Samuel and Cordoba were both sent off in the first half of the match, while Eto'o was booked for allegedly diving.

When Eto'o received the yellow card, Mourinho sparked and while laughing he made the handcuffs gesture in front of photographers and TV cameras.

Mourinho - did not speak to the media after the match against Sampdoria.

Serie A officials said the punishment came after Mourinho had "repeatedly challenged the officials, especially by mimicking handcuffs with his wrists and arms crossed, and faced the crowds and television cameras... Also, he insulted the referee and his assistants in the tunnel and also repeatedly insulted officials."

"Each time there are over-the-top gestures or comments it creates exasperation," Italian Football Association president Giancarlo Abete told Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport's website.

"This is a delicate phase of the season, we need respect for everyone else because over-excited football is no good."

Defenders Samuel and Cordoba received one-game bans for their dismissals but their Inter team-mates Esteban Cambiasso and Sulley Muntari were given two-match bans for off-the-field incidents in the fiery encounter.

Cambiasso was punished for trying to punch an opposition player in the tunnel at half-time, while Muntari swore at the fourth official.

Inter are five points ahead of Roma at the top of the Serie A.

Mourinho wants respect!

Inter has beaten Juventus 2-1 in the quarter-finals of the Italian Cup competition (Coppa Italia), but coach Jose Mourinho has come out and defended his team counterpart Ciro Ferrara.

Ferrara is seemingly on his way out at the Turin giants, but the 'Special One' has called for some respect to be shown towards the former defender.

"We are men, and have families. It is not good what he is currently going through," Mourinho stated to Rai. "There is a lot of discussion about who will replace him, Zaccheroni, Benitez, but he deserves respect. In this moment in time, no-one respects him."

As for how the match played out, the Inter boss admits that it was tough until the first Nerazzurri goal was scored. But after that, it all became easier.

"The team started well during the match, but then Juventus scored early," he said. "We remained calm, and tried to forget what happened at the end of the first half."

"With Milito on, we played better. We knew that we were playing better than our opposition, and once the first goal was scored, it all became easier. It was a victory that was well-deserved," concluded Mourinho.

The Beneamata will now take on Fiorentina in the semi-finals.

source: Goal.com

Mourinho will have to go to court

ROME (AFP) - Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho looks set to face a penalty for insulting a journalist after the Football League referred his case to the sporting justice disciplinary committee.

Following Inter's 1-1 draw at Atalanta in December, Mourinho allegedly screamed abuse at Corriere dello Sport journalist Andrea Ramazzotti.

Ramazzotti had strayed into a restricted area to listen in to interviews the official Inter TV Channel were conducting with players after the game.

According to press reports, Mourinho, who later claimed he had told Ramazzotti several times before not to come into that area beside the club's team coach, swore at the reporter.

Corriere, alongside several other major Italian newspapers boycotted Mourinho's next press conference in protest.

Mourinho is accused of having violated article 1 of the sporting justice code by "using hurtful language towards sports journalist Andrea Ramazzotti" and of having "grabbed him by the forearms".

Inter have also been called before the sporting justice to explain their employee's actions.

Mourinho has often found himself in hot water this season in Italy, twice being sent-off and serving one-match touchline bans.

Mourinho Pleased With 'Well-Deserved' Win Over Livorno

Inter Coach Mourinho Pleased With 'Well-Deserved' Win Over Livorno. The 'Special One' thinks his team had the match under control. Inter coach Jose Mourinho has heaped praise on his team for their hard-fought 1-0 win against Livorno in the Coppa Italia.

It took a Wesley Sneijder free kick in the 59th minute to separate the two sides, and the Nerazzurri now advance to the next round of the tournament.

"I think that Inter deserved the victory," Mourinho declared to the inter.it. "The team was compact, and everything was under control.

"We had some great chances to go ahead from the start, and even in the second half, we could have closed the match out earlier.

"I am pleased, as there were no injuries, and now we can think about the quarter-finals.

According to Mourinho's counterpart, Serse Cosmi, the handball which led to the Dutchman's goal, was not non-existent.

"The Livorno coach has the right to complain," Mourinho responded. "If he is correct or not, I do not know.

"But I believe that a team that has four or five clear chances on goal deserves to really win the match," he summed up.

source: Goal.com

Mourinho breathes a sigh of relief

Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho hailed his squad's team-work as they booked their place in the next round with a 2-0 victory over Rubin Kazan.

ed out after a shock home defeat to Bayern Munich, the Nerazzurri needed a victory over the Russian side to ensure they finished second in Group F behind holders Barcelona, and Mourinho was delighted to avoid the potential banana skin.

"This is the merit of all the squad,'' he said. "From our goalkeeper Julio Cesar to our striker Mario Balotelli, to those players that were on the bench and those that watched the game from the stands. The group has been able to stick together and suffer together.''

Last season Mourinho announced he wanted to be drawn against Manchester United in the last 16 and had his wish granted, only for the Red Devils to knock Inter out of the competition.

"When last year I said I would have preferred to face Manchester United, I did not say that because they were European champions,'' said Mourinho, "but because it would have given my team an extra motivation to face such a side.

"This year we cannot face Barcelona. But there are two top English clubs, then there's Real Madrid and Sevilla, who some may consider a weaker side but I believe it is a very difficult side to face. Bordeaux has done very well as well. I really don't know which one I would prefer.''

The Champions League knock-out draw takes place on December 18.

source: soccernet.espn.go.com

This was a victory that we truly deserved, and now we can set our sights on qualifying from our next couple of games

Inter have high jumped from the bottom to the top of Group F, in the space of 90 minutes in this season’s UEFA Champions League, after accounting for Dynamo Kiev 2-1 in Ukraine.

The Nerazzurri went behind midway through the first half, when Andriy Shevchenko put the hosts ahead, however two very late goals to Diego Milito and Wesley Sneijder proved to be enough for the Italians.

“This was a victory that we truly deserved, and now we can set our sights on qualifying from our next couple of games,” Jose Mourinho declared to Sky in a post-match interview.

“I think in the second half, we changed the character and personality of the team. I made some changes, but the team responded well to the message I gave them at the interval.

“They achieved this result by fighting tooth and nail for it, and they all played with their hearts on their sleeves as well. We deserved to win,” Mourinho reaffirmed.

As previously mentioned, the reigning Italian champions are now top of their group after four rounds of matches, however the race to progress is still well and truly up for grabs.

He continued, “The battle of qualification is more open than ever. It’s a very balanced group, and it is an incredible situation with just four teams.

“This match for us will be a starting point to improve our performances in the competition.

“I think that we will be able to qualify with just a win now, so I want a packed San Siro stadium for our next game in Europe.”

The Nerazzurri travel to the Camp Nou on match day five, to take on Barcelona, whilst they play host to the reigning Russian champions Rubin Kazan in the final round of matches.

source: Goal.com

Something worth RESPECT!

Mourinho is currently on a run of 123 home league matches unbeaten (38 with Porto, 60 with Chelsea and 25 with Inter). His last and only home league defeat came when Porto were defeated 3–2 by Beira-Mar on 23 February 2002.