The UEFA Champions League first knockout round tie between FC Internazionale Milano and Chelsea FC brings together two coaches more than familiar with each other and their opponents but it is their own injury problems that concern José Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti. Both are missing their usual left-backs, and Ancelotti said Chelsea's defensive absences are "a problem" while Mourinho is pinning his hopes on the experience of Javier Zanetti with Davide Santon and Cristian Chivu both out.
José Mourinho, Inter coach
I know Chelsea well, but it doesn't mean it's easier. Sometimes it's more difficult when you know so much about a team as, if you don't decide the appropriate information you need to give to your players, it can be tough. I played against Porto with Chelsea the year after I left. It was my team, with my players, and still it was not easy. We won one game and lost the other.
Carlo Ancelotti knows Inter very well, he has worked all his life in Italian football. He's a local man, he knows everything about the players. It's all about intensity with the English teams. Santon didn't make it but Zanetti could be important for us, given that we are playing against a physically strong team.
Carlo Ancelotti, Chelsea manager
I'm not scared. We have to be focused on the qualities of [Inter] and limit them. What's happening around Inter at the moment doesn't make any difference to us. To beat them we have to do our best and give 100%, but Inter also have to give their best to beat us.
We are missing two left-backs, and Belletti could play but he's been out for a while. He's been training for a week and everything has gone well so far. We will find a solution but the two absences in defence are a problem. I respect Inter, and I know they really want to win this trophy, but so do Chelsea; we want to play this game in a fair spirit but also with intensity.
Team news
Inter
Out: Cristian Chivu (fractured skull), Davide Santon (knee)
Doubtful: Júlio César (bruises, facial lacerations)
Suspended: none
Misses next match if booked: Lúcio, Walter Samuel, Maicon, Javier Zanetti
• Santon has also been ruled out meaning Zanetti is a likely choice at left-back with Dejan Stanković, Sulley Muntari and Macdonald Mariga the possibilities to fill his midfield role. Samuel Eto'o should partner Diego Milito up front.
• Júlio César was involved in a car accident on Sunday that left him unable to train the following day but should start in goal. Dejan Stanković and Mario Balotelli are both back from injury.
Chelsea
Out: Ashley Cole (ankle), Michael Essien (knee), José Bosingwa (knee), Yuri Zhirkov (calf), Deco (knee)
Doubtful: none
Suspended: none
Misses next match if booked: Michael Essien
• Frank Lampard missed Saturday's win at Wolverhampton Wanderers FC through illness but is available again, as are Alex and Belletti after knee injuries.
• Zhirkov's injury, on top of Cole's long-term absence, has given Ancelotti problems at left-back. Paulo Ferreira is not in the UEFA Champions League squad so, if the manager does not opt for Belletti, Florent Malouda is a possible choice, as is Branislav Ivanović.
<a href="http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/matches/season=2010/round=2000029/match=2000462/prematch/preview/index.htm"l>Source</A>
