Football Talk - All of Italy wants Mourinho to lose - Ancelotti - 23/02/10
Carlo Ancelotti has taunted Jose Mourinho ahead of tomorrow's Champions League game at San Siro by suggesting that the whole of Italy wants Chelsea to beat Internazionale.
Chelsea travel to Italy for Wednesday's Champions League clash with Inter with tensions resurfacing between Ancelotti and Mourinho. The pair have endured a strained relationship during their time against each other in Italy and Ancelotti's remarks will further stoke the flames. Ancelotti believes that Mourinho's conduct since he arrived in Italy in 2008 has made him unpopular with his fellow Serie A coaches and also Italian football's authorities because of his outspoken behaviour.
The Chelsea manager spoke out after Mourinho repeatedly mimicked being handcuffed when two Inter players were sent off during Saturday's goalless draw at home to Sampdoria. The gestures landed him a three-game Serie A touchline ban and a €40,000 fine from Italy's football association. It is the third suspension Mourinho has received this season Ancelotti told the Italian newspaper Il Giornale that thanks to Mourinho's behaviour "the whole of Italy, Inter fans excluded, will be supporting Chelsea" tomorrow night.
Ancelotti also hit out at Mourinho for dismissing the achievements of his successors at Chelsea following the Portuguese's departure from Stamford Bridge. "It's true that after him (Mourinho) nobody has won anything for Chelsea, although some bloke called Grant didn't do so bad and came close with the Champions League final," added Ancelotti. "He is good at charging up the atmosphere and the team, but it's ground I would never go on."
