Inter's Mourinho meets very familiar Chelsea

Chelsea will look extremely familiar to Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho for more reasons than one when the pair meet at the San Siro in Milan on Wednesday in their Champions League last 16 first-leg clash.

Mourinho won two Premier League titles as manager of the London club while the two sides are very similar in style.

The determination the Portuguese installed at Chelsea before leaving in 2007 is also in plentiful supply at Inter, as shown by Saturday's 0-0 draw with Sampdoria where the Serie A leaders had two sent off in the first half but had the better chances.

Chelsea were also under pressure at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday but still dug in for a 2-0 victory to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League to four points.

The playing staffs have various similarities too.

Chelsea's Petr Cech and Inter's Julio Cesar, set to be fit after a minor car crash, are among the world's best goalkeepers.

Both defences are top-class although left back is a problem with Cristian Chivu and Davide Santon injured for Inter while Chelsea's Ashley Cole misses out and Yury Zhirkov is a doubt.

Midfielder Javier Zanetti will fill in for the Italians with fellow right-footer Paulo Ferreira poised for the visitors.

"For the characteristics of our opponent, their physical nature and intensity of their play, I would really need Zanetti in midfield," Mourinho, banned for three Serie A games for his latest bout of outspoken behaviour, told reporters.

"If Santon isn't there and Zanetti plays at left back, already the team is different to the one I had in mind."

LAMPARD BACK

A rock solid bank of three midfielders characterises each team and both boast two of the best playmakers in the business.

Frank Lampard, back from a virus, almost moved with Mourinho to Inter but remains the fulcrum of the side while Wesley Sneijder is probably just edging the England player in terms of form this term after a superb first six months in Italy.

But Chelsea look better up top with Didier Drogba outscoring fellow African player of the year nominee Samuel Eto'o.

The Cameroonian has had form and fitness problems since joining Inter from Barcelona in July and is not assured of a start on Wednesday given Diego Milito and Goran Pandev's consistency.

Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti will also get a case of deja-vu when he meets Mourinho at the San Siro on Wednesday.

"He knows Chelsea very well, I know Inter very well and in this game there are no surprises," said the Italian, who had eight years in the same stadium as AC Milan boss and won the Champions League twice -- much to the displeasure of Inter fans.

The Serie A champions, who travel to Stamford Bridge in March 16's second leg, have not won the European Cup since 1965 and defeats by Manchester United and Liverpool in the last two years do not bode well for another English knockout clash.

But in a last similarity, Chelsea have flattered to deceive too as twice semi-finalists under Mourinho and 2008 runners-up.

Probable teams:

Inter Milan: 12-Julio Cesar; 13-Maicon, 6-Lucio, 25-Walter Samuel, 4-Javier Zanetti; 5-Dejan Stankovic, 19-Esteban Cambiasso, 11-Sulley Muntari; 10-Wesley Sneijder; 22-Diego Milito, 9-Samuel Eto'o

Chelsea: 1-Petr Cech; 2-Branislav Ivanovic, 26-John Terry, 6-Ricardo Carvalho, 18-Yury Zhirkov; 12-John Obi Mikel, 13-Michael Ballack, 8-Frank Lampard; 15-Florent Malouda; 11-Didier Drogba, 39-Nicolas Anelka

Referee: Manuel Enrique Mejuto Gonzalez (Spain)