Mourinho: Chelsea were rarely dangerous

Jose Mourinho is confident Internazionale can progress to the next round of the Champions League.

The Portuguese manager claims Chelsea were rarely dangerous in their first meeting.

“It is a victory that means a lot and means nothing, it depends on the second leg. It’s half-time, we are in front and have 90 minutes to play at Stamford Bridge,” Mourinho said of the 2-1 win.

“Chelsea have their ambitions of changing the result, we have ours to reach the quarters. I am more optimistic now than earlier today, as we are in front. Before it was 0-0.

“Don’t forget in recent years Inter failed to win at home against Liverpool, Manchester United and Valencia. Inter hadn’t won the first leg of a knockout in a long time and defeated a side that was unbeaten in 14 Champions League games.”

Diego Milito gave Inter an early lead while Esteban Cambiasso quickly cancelled out Salomon Kalou’s equaliser.

“We wanted to be aggressive and attack them straight away, giving us the psychological advantage. That way we would change the mental situation of Inter,” Mourinho told RAI.

“We wanted to dominate the match. Chelsea were losing after three minutes, so obviously they had a very strong reaction in line with their quality.

“Statistics can lie in football. Shots on goal count despite not really going anywhere near the net.

“I can only remember Didier Drogba hitting the bar, Julio Cesar’s save on Frank Lampard and that was basically it. We controlled the game and had three or four genuine scoring opportunities with two goals.

“It is tough for a Coach to communicate with his players during a game, especially with the full stadium, and that is frustrating. A Coach wants to make his voice heard and it’s difficult.

“Thankfully the fourth official realised I was just trying to communicate and let me wander out of my area without sending me off.”

The second leg will be on March 16 and Mourinho’s return to his former club.

“My return to Stamford Bridge is fine, I am sure I will be able to control my emotions.

“I went ‘home’ a few weeks ago, so this will be the second time and I’m sure I’ll be able to focus on my work.”