Mourinho's mind games won't work on us, says Ballack

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Jose Mourinho

European affair: Mourinho insists Chelsea won't be scared on Inter Milan

Former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho insists his old side will not fear Inter Milan, when they meet in the last 16 of the Champions League.

Mourinho is the most successful manager in Chelsea's history, after winning back-to-back Barclays Premier League titles, an FA Cup and two League Cup's during his three-year reign at Stamford Bridge.

His return to Chelsea as the Inter Milan manager will mark his first, since he dramatically left the club, back in September 2007.

Chelsea hero Mourinho : 'I won't need to study them. With the addition of Branislav Ivanovic and Nicolas Anelka, they are my old team.

'I exclude the possibility that they [Chelsea] are afraid of Inter because they are a winning group who have played together since 2004,' Mourinho was quoted as saying by Monday's La Gazzetta dello Sport.

'At the most they might curse fortune, which could have given them an easier opponent than us,' he added after Sunday's 1-0 win over Lazio that took his side eight points clear at the top of Serie A.

'I won't need to study them. With the addition of [Branislav] Ivanovic and [Nicolas] Anelka, they are my old team. [Chelsea manager Carlo] Ancelotti knows Inter too. But I might go and see a game during the [Serie A winter] break.'

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michael ballack

Determined: Ballack won't let Mourinho get under his skin

Point made: Mourinho always has plenty to say

Michael Ballack has warned Jose Mourinho he will need more than mind games to get the better of Chelsea in the Champions League.

Ex-Blues boss Mourinho and his Inter Milan side will return to Stamford Bridge in the last 16 of the competition and the Portuguese has already tried to rile his former club.

He said: I won't need to study them. With the addition of Branislav Ivanovic and Nicolas Anelka, they are my old team.'

But Chelsea midfielder Ballack shrugged off the comments from his old boss, saying: 'It's part of his job [to use mind games] but we're focused on ourselves.

'We haven't spoken much yet about what it will be like to play against him but when the game gets nearer there will be enough going on.

'We know him but he won't be on the pitch so obviously it doesn't help us. It will help them more because he knows all the Chelsea players.

'It is a big draw and will be a tough game against a tough opponent. Everybody likes these games, although it's a bit early to be playing such a big team at the last-16 stage.

'We have one of the best teams but we just have to take it. It will be special for Jose and also for us.'