Chelsea goes into its Champions League match against Inter Milan on
Wednesday in confident mood following a run of form that has
allowed it to open a four-point lead over Manchester United in the
Premier League.
Carlo Ancelotti's side has won five of its seven league
matches since the start of 2010 and is into the quarterfinals of
the FA Cup.
Since returning from the African Cup of Nations at the end of
January, Didier Drogba has again shown his importance to the side,
scoring five times, including both goals in the 2-0 win over title
rival Arsenal.
"He has always been one of the best strikers in the world and
you can see he doesn't need much to score goals," Chelsea
goalkeeper Peter Cech said. "One Saturday he had two and a half
chances and scored two goals.
"He is there at the right time," Cech said. "He works hard
for the team which is even more important because in a game when
you don't play well, you need everyone to fight and run and keep
tactically focused."
A week ago Wayne Rooney scored twice at the San Siro in
Manchester United's 3-2 win over AC Milan. Rooney is currently the
Premier League's leading scorer with 21 goals, with Drogba a place
behind on 19.
"Didier is in form," Cech said. "However important Wayne
Rooney is for Manchester United, Didier is as important for us."
For Inter coach Jose Mourinho it is the first time that he
has met Chelsea in a competitive fixture since leaving the club in
acrimonious circumstances in 2007.
During his time at Stamford Bridge the Portuguese won two
league titles, an FA Cup and two League Cups, but was unable to
land the Champions League that he had won at FC Porto.
"Chelsea doesn't hold any secrets for me," Mourinho said. "It
won't be difficult to prepare for this match. Why should we be
scared of Chelsea? It is a great team with a lot of world class
players, but so are we and we won't be afraid, but respectful. I
think actions will speak louder than words. I don't have anything
to prove."
Like Mourinho Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti will also be
returning to a stadium where he enjoyed great success, as both a
player and coach.
Ancelotti was a midfielder in the AC Milan side that won the
European Cup in 1989 and 1990, then repeated the success as coach
of the club in 2003 and 2007.
However Ancelotti, who also coached Parma and Juventus, has
more pressing issues than an emotional return to the San Siro.
"We have some problems with the fullbacks because we have
lost Ashley Cole and (Juliano) Belletti," Ancelotti said. "We hope
that for the next game (Yury) Zhirkov can play.
"Zhirkov had a problem with his calf, it is tight and (we
hope) he can recover in two or three days for the next game.
(Ricardo) Carvalho will be ready for Milan, (Frank) Lampard too and
we hope Alex will be."
Cech hoping Drogba continues form
Chelsea goes into its Champions League match against Inter Milan on
Wednesday in confident mood following a run of form that has
allowed it to open a four-point lead over Manchester United in the
Premier League.
Carlo Ancelotti's side has won five of its seven league
matches since the start of 2010 and is into the quarterfinals of
the FA Cup.
Since returning from the African Cup of Nations at the end of
January, Didier Drogba has again shown his importance to the side,
scoring five times, including both goals in the 2-0 win over title
rival Arsenal.
"He has always been one of the best strikers in the world and
you can see he doesn't need much to score goals," Chelsea
goalkeeper Peter Cech said. "One Saturday he had two and a half
chances and scored two goals.
"He is there at the right time," Cech said. "He works hard
for the team which is even more important because in a game when
you don't play well, you need everyone to fight and run and keep
tactically focused."
A week ago Wayne Rooney scored twice at the San Siro in
Manchester United's 3-2 win over AC Milan. Rooney is currently the
Premier League's leading scorer with 21 goals, with Drogba a place
behind on 19.
"Didier is in form," Cech said. "However important Wayne
Rooney is for Manchester United, Didier is as important for us."
For Inter coach Jose Mourinho it is the first time that he
has met Chelsea in a competitive fixture since leaving the club in
acrimonious circumstances in 2007.
During his time at Stamford Bridge the Portuguese won two
league titles, an FA Cup and two League Cups, but was unable to
land the Champions League that he had won at FC Porto.
"Chelsea doesn't hold any secrets for me," Mourinho said. "It
won't be difficult to prepare for this match. Why should we be
scared of Chelsea? It is a great team with a lot of world class
players, but so are we and we won't be afraid, but respectful. I
think actions will speak louder than words. I don't have anything
to prove."
Like Mourinho Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti will also be
returning to a stadium where he enjoyed great success, as both a
player and coach.
Ancelotti was a midfielder in the AC Milan side that won the
European Cup in 1989 and 1990, then repeated the success as coach
of the club in 2003 and 2007.
However Ancelotti, who also coached Parma and Juventus, has
more pressing issues than an emotional return to the San Siro.
"We have some problems with the fullbacks because we have
lost Ashley Cole and (Juliano) Belletti," Ancelotti said. "We hope
that for the next game (Yury) Zhirkov can play.
"Zhirkov had a problem with his calf, it is tight and (we
hope) he can recover in two or three days for the next game.
(Ricardo) Carvalho will be ready for Milan, (Frank) Lampard too and
we hope Alex will be."