Carlo seeks Jose peace

Posted Saturday, December 19, 2009 by skysports.com

Carlo seeks Jose peace
Ancelotti: Mourinho peace

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti is looking to put his differences with Inter Milan boss and rival Jose Mourinho aside after the two teams were drawn together in the knock-out stages of the UEFA Champions League.

Two of the games' most successful managers in modern times will come head-to-head in February for a mouth-watering clash that sees history between the pair give the tie extra spice.

The duo clashed on several occasions last season when Ancelotti managed Inter's city rivals AC Milan before his switch to English football.

Former Chelsea boss Mourinho insisted Ancelotti was 'no friend of his' while Ancelotti claimed he was not a follower of the self-proclaimed 'Special One'.

But despite the ill-feeling, Ancelotti said he was prepared to draw a line under their spat.

Good relationship
He said: "If we don't have a good relationship, this game can be a good opportunity to return to a good relationship.

"There were some problems, some questions and discussions in the papers. Only this. Nothing important.

"I'm not ready to play mind games. I never will be ready to play these games. I prefer to play football matches. I have experience of what he'll do."

The Italian was quick to recognise the importance of the tie for Mourinho, who won every domestic trophy on offer with his former employers.

Ancelotti has won the Champions League twice as a player and twice as a coach but one of Mourinho's jibes last season was to mention the fact that the Italian is the only one to have lost a final when leading 3-0 at half-time.

The reference was to Liverpool's second-half comeback in the 2005 final, when the English club ran out 3-2 winners on penalties.

The Champions League was the one piece of silverware that eluded the former Porto tactician whilst at Chelsea, leading Ancelotti to highlight the difficulty his side will face when they come up against the Italian champions.

"I think that, for him, it will be an emotional game," he said. "He did a very good job here in Chelsea so to play against Chelsea won't be easy for him. He will do his best to win.

"I said that Inter were one of the strongest teams in the second group, but we have to accept this draw.

"If we want to win the Champions League we have to fight against strong teams. I know Inter very well and they're a strong team, so I think they will be tough games.

"Mourinho did a very good job and maintained a very good relationship with these players. That's normal. They won things and this will be a reminder of those seasons.

"It's difficult because I think that Inter are, at this moment, the strongest team in Italy. They are at the top of the table. It's difficult also for them, though, to play against Chelsea."