European Champions' League (Knock-out, 1st-Leg) 2009/10
Internazionale Milan vs Chelsea
San Siro (Milan), 25 February 2010, Kick-off, 03:45 (GMT +8:00)
Internazionale Milan
We are all too familiar with Jose Mourinho's constant outbursts to almost everyone in Italy at every press conference. But this smoke screen is no more than a
diversion by the coach to deflect all pressure off his team, and this strategy have proved very effective during his tenure at Chelsea.
It is indeed a much needed smoke screen at the wake of the 0-0 draw with Sampdoria at home last Saturday, a match that was widely expected to end in favor of
the hosts. Not a very encouraging result to come back off coming into this match against favourites Chelsea. Last weekends scoreless draw was the first time
since Sept 2009 that Inter have failed to score at home in all competitions and the first time since November 2008 that they have failed to score in a league
match here. Inter are more than capable of scoring past Petr Cech tonight but the question is, can they keep out Didier Drogba & Nicolas Anelka?
The last team that scored at San Siro was in a Coppa Italia match against Juventus that Inter won 2-1. This season in the Champions' League, the
most they have scored in a single game here is 2 goals while the most they have conceded is also 2, which was also the only time they conceded in three matches in the Champions' League group stage (2-2 vs Dynamo Kyiv).
Chelsea
Chelsea have not won against Italian oppositions in the Champions' in two attempts since they beat Lazio 0-4 in 2003.
They drew 2-2 with Juventus in the same stage of the competition last season but lost 3-1 to Roma during the group stage. In fact, their Italian
adventure have yielded a total of 4 goals in each of the 3 visits to Italian soil. In a league where goals are a commodity, Chelsea's visit to Itlay would
definitely be a welcome for Italian fans.
The Londeners were made to work hard for the win away at relegation candidates Wolverhampton Wanderers before emerging 0-2 victors. Coach Carlo Ancelotti have been made to make do with injuries to Michael Essien, who has been injured since the opening match of the African Nations' Cup. Keeping Inter out would definitely pose a problem for the visitors with injuries to Ashley Cole & Jose Bosingwa. With defensive midfielder out and the flanks potentially exposed to Inter's attack, it would be a surprise if they can managed a clean sheet.
Match Prediction
The draw for Inter over the weekend should not be seen as a sign of weakness, but rather an indication that they had their eyes on a bigger prize with Chelsea up next. The team should be mentally prepared and with Mourinho deflecting all the focus on himself since the weekend, his players are quietly going about their business to prepare for tonight's clash. However, although unbeaten at home this season, Inter have drawn twice here already. Chelsea themselves are unbeaten on the road in this competition this season, but APOEL, Athletico Madrid & Porto were hardly tough oppositions. Another Italian embarrassment is unlikely to repeat tonight after Man Utd's heroics against AC Milan here last week, as Inter are a more cohesive team with more energy compared to their City rivals. Do not expect entertaining football as Mourinho & Ancelotti would try to outwit each other in a very tactical game that would possibly end in a stalemate. Both teams have posted 2-2 draws this season in the group stage and another similar scoreline may be a posibility.
Inter to hold Chelsea to a 2-2 draw @ 16 offered by 12Bet. Click this link now!
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