Mourinho hopes luck on Inter's side

Mourinho hopes luck on Inter's side

Published Mar. 12, 2010 6:25 p.m. ET

Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho insists Champions League glory comes down to luck as he prepares to return to Stamford Bridge next week.

Mourinho's team take a 2-1 lead to Chelsea in the second leg of the first knockout round in what will be his first return as a manager to the club he served so successfully.

The Portuguese boss admits it will be emotional walking out at the Bridge, but that his overriding focus will be steering his Inter side into the next round.

And as he seeks to finally bring the European Cup back to Inter, Mourinho concedes there is an element of luck which always plays an important part.

He said: "It's really about details; lucky or unlucky in the draw, if the ball that hits the post goes in or out, the player that is suspended and cannot play a crucial game, the timing of injuries whereby a team goes into a game missing two or three key players, a refereeing decision that can go for or against you.

"Of course, only a very good team can win the Champions League, but I can find seven, eight, nine teams who can win the competition. It's so hard to predict."

Mourinho, who won the Champions League with Porto in 2004, added on www.uefa.com: "The good thing is that I don't have far to walk (at Stamford Bridge).

"From the dressing room to the bench is five metres. I don't have to cross the stadium, I don't have to feel the emotions and reactions from the crowd. I will just sit there and play my game.

"The players play on the pitch, I play outside. They are much more important than me, because on the pitch you win matches, not on the bench.

"But I will be there with my heart fully on either side. That's what a professional does. I don't hide that Chelsea are a very important part of my life."

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