Jose Mourinho's return to Stamford Bridge today will no doubt take a lot of the attention in this UEFA Champions League clash between Inter Milan and Chelsea FC.
Tom Dart writes of Mourinho's impact on the match today, which includes his keen tactical awareness as well as intricate knowledge of his opponent.
Away from the sideshow of his return, there is of course the fact that the Portuguese is an excellent manager who produces winning teams. His tactical nous, willingness to take bold decisions to change games and familiarity with the Chelsea team are bigger concerns for the home side than whether he dominates the occasion with the force of his personality.
As for team tactics, expect this match to be a very tight and compact battle in the midfield that could resemble a chess match at times.
They should line up in a pretty similar way, in a 4-1-3-2 formation. Mourinho is likely to want to keep the game tight and try to nick a goal that would leave Chelsea needing two just to take the match to extra time. It’s a finely balanced tie.
Both teams had periods of pressure in the first leg and while Chelsea require only a 1-0 win to progress on away goals, should Inter score twice tonight, that would surely be curtains for Ancelotti’s team.
Mario Balotelli, the talented but temperamental striker, was left behind in Italy, so Mourinho can’t use him as a substitute to change the pattern of play, as he did in the first leg. Thiago Motta, the left winger, is a doubt because of a thigh injury. John Obi Mikel needs to put in a strong performance this evening. As Chelsea’s holding midfield player, he will be up against Wesley Sneijder, the highly dangerous forward, who floats behind the front two for Inter. That could prove a key individual battle.
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