Jose Mourinho and Chelsea Get Reacquainted

The first leg of this year’s Champions League last 16 is nearly complete. Only two fixtures remain and already the quarter-final encounters are beginning to take shape. But before we get ahead of ourselves and start booking our flights to the final in Madrid, here are a couple of tips to look out for during tonight’s matches.

Wednesday, 24 February 2010

Inter Milan v Chelsea

Hot or Not: Inter Milan – Top of Serie A, 5 points clear of second placed Roma, Mourinho is on course for his second successive Italian league title. Despite Inter’s dominant league position , the Italian champions enter their clash with Chelsea on the back of three disappointing draws, scoring only once during that run. Chelsea – Carlo Ancelotti brings his Premiership leaders to the San Siro for the first time since his departure from AC last summer. Despite losing to Everton a fortnight ago and picking up several key injuries in the process, the Blues travel to Italy buoyed by the prospect of getting one over their former mentor.

History: This is the first meeting between Inter and Chelsea in Europe. The two respective champions are desperate for Champions League glory in order to cement their place at European football’s top table. It’s also worth mentioning Inter coach Jose Mourinho used to manage the West London outfit.

One to watch: Jose Mourinho. To be fair you’ve always got to keep an eye on the wily Portugeezer. Having already kicked off proceedings by aiming a few choice comments in Ancelotti’s direction, Mourinho will be desperate to get one over his former employees even if that means ending his love affair with the Stamford Bridge faithful. But once the whistle blows there’s only so much the Special One can do and we’re pretty sure that the likes of Drogba, Lampard and Anelka won’t let Jose’s remarks go unanswered.

Dressed to kill - Even in training you can't keep your eyes off Mourinho

CSKA Moscow v Sevilla

Hot or Not: CSKA Moscow – No one really knows what kind of form CSKA will bring into this crunch clash. With the Russian side last playing a competitive match back on December 9th of last year, CSKA might start slightly off the pace but they shouldn’t feel any of the burn out that their opposition might be enduring. Sevilla – 4th in La Liga, a staggering 16 points off leaders Barcelona, Sevilla head to Moscow still reeling from a crunch 2-0 loss to 3rd placed Valencia.

History: CSKA Moscow have never faced Sevilla in European competition. In fact, CSKA have only faced Spanish opposition once in the Champions League and that was back in 1992 when they drew at home and won away at Barcelona . Sevilla on the other hand have travelled to Russia on four occasions (all in the UEFA Cup) and average a respectable one goal for on each occasion.

One to watch: The weather. By the time of kick-off, the stadium will hit a low of -3 degrees  and rain and sleet are forecast.  While the home side might not be bothered, the Spanish will certainly have to bring their gloves and neck-warmers if they stand any chance of getting a result. Unfortunately most of the game breakers from the two squads will be absent tonight. Sevilla’s star striker Luis Fabiano and wing wizard Diego Capel missed the trip to Moscow due to injury and CSKA’s influential attacking midfielder Alan Dzagoev also misses out having failed to recover from a groin strain.

Sevilla's inspirational attacker Luis Fabiano will be sorely missed in Moscow