16 March 2010 / REUTERS, LONDON
Jose Mourinho, the self-confessed Special One, returns to Stamford Bridge today plotting the Champions League downfall of the club he admits is still close to his heart.
“I will be there with my heart fully on either side. That’s what a professional does,” Mourinho, whose Inter Milan side will be protecting a 2-1 first leg lead in the last-16 clash against Chelsea, told UEFA.com. “I don’t hide that Chelsea are a very important part of my life.” Chelsea’s second leg with Inter today is the most intriguing of the week’s clashes which also include reigning champion Barcelona at home to Stuttgart on Wednesday following a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Germany. The Catalans warmed up with a 3-0 victory over Valencia on Sunday in which Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick. Seville takes on CSKA Moscow today, also level at 1-1, while French champions Bordeaux will be the favorite to reach the quarterfinals for the first time having won 1-0 in Greece against Olympiakos. All eyes will be on Mourinho, however, as the charismatic Portuguese takes his place in the visitors dug-out at Stamford Bridge -- just meters away from the seat where he orchestrated the greatest chapter in Chelsea’s history.
