Ancelotti: Mourinho factor won't have Special impact on Champions League clash

Carlo Ancelotti today insisted the Jose Mourinho factor would play no part in Chelsea's Champions League clash with Inter Milan - and admitted he feared the worst for David Beckham.

Ancelotti's fractious relationship with Mourinho has added extra spice to the Special One's Stamford Bridge return.

But the Blues boss maintained the fate of the tie will be settled by the men on the pitch, not the mystique of those on the respective benches.

Ancelotti said: "I'm sure they're not distracted by this.

"Mourinho will come back. For him, it will be a special evening. I think also that the fans will give him a very good reception, one he deserves.

"But the match will be another thing. The players are not involved in this. All the Chelsea players and Inter players are focused on the game, an important game.

The other things they're not interested in."

Pressed on whether Mourinho really was "Special", Ancelotti dead-batted as he added: "He's had, until now, a fantastic career. I think so.

"Jose has great experience. He won the Champions League and won a lot of titles in different countries. So I think that there is no difference between me and him.

"The difference will be the different play, the different confidence, the different courage and personality that the teams put out on the pitch. That can be the difference."

Ancelotti confirmed Champions League rookie Ross Turnbull will start in goal but also spoke of Beckham, whose World Cup dream was shattered by a torn achilles tendon.

Beckham, of course, played under Ancelotti at Milan last term and the Italian said: "I'm so sorry for him because I know how he wanted to go to the World Cup.

"He came last year to Milan above all to achieve this, to show his quality for the England team. I'm so sorry for him. I hope he makes a good, quick recovery and will come back to play.

"It's too early to say his career is over. He has a bad injury, but I hope he comes back to play football. Until now, he's had a fantastic career and, also, he's shown great professionalism."