Mourinho: Performances must improve
Reuters - Thursday 04 February 2010, 12:09
MILAN - Inter Milan must improve on recent
performances to have any chance of beating Chelsea in the
Champions League last 16, coach Jose Mourinho said.
Argentina striker Diego Milito gave the Serie A leaders a
1-0 advantage in their Italian Cup semi-final first leg against
Fiorentina at the San Siro on Wednesday.
However, the perfectionist coach said they would have to
buck up their ideas with the Champions League first knockout
round first leg at home to the London club looming on February 24.
"Yes we can beat Chelsea. Yes we can but not like this no,"
Mourinho told Reuters having again clashed with temperamental
forward Mario Balotelli during the Fiorentina game.
"There have been too many passes gone astray, not enough
clarity in our play. It hasn't pleased me that we haven't had
continuity in our performance."
Inter's league game at Parma last weekend was postponed
because of snow and in their previous match at home to Juventus
in the Italian Cup quarter-final, Mourinho's side had to come
from behind to prevail 2-1 with a last-minute Balotelli strike.
Despite inconsistencies in their displays, Inter keep on
winning and are eight points clear in Serie A as they seek a
fifth straight scudetto.
BIG TARGET
The leaders entertain Cagliari on Sunday but the Champions
League remains the big target and after losing to Manchester
United this time last year, Mourinho comes face to face with
beloved former club Chelsea.
Experiencing a first-leg encounter in the Italian Cup is
good preparation for the European clash even if the second leg
against Fiorentina does not take place until April 14.
"It was good enough. We could play better but 1-0 is always
a positive result when you play in two legs. It's a pity we have
to wait two and a half months to play the second leg," added the
Portuguese coach.
"But in a semi-final I believe 1-0 is a good enough result
to give us good hope and a good chance to be in the final."
Mourinho, who was close to Chelsea skipper John Terry while
winning the 2005 and 2006 Premier League titles at Stamford
Bridge, opted not to answer a question about recent allegations
over the England captain's private life.