There comes a time in each season where one game can make or break a season. For Liverpool it was losing away to Portsmouth 2-0 before Christmas last year. For Chelsea it will be this game against Inter Milan, a game in which they have to win to go through to the next round.
Chelsea have had more off field problems than on it and although Ancelotti is one of the great managers of all time, it would be fair to say that the former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho will have taken all the pressure off John Terry and piled it on himself. That was what he was good at, taking pressure off the team and allowing himself to make the headlines whether it was good or bad. Ancelotti is different in that respect and will steer clear of any controversy that heads his, or his players way.
Ray Wilkins, the Chelsea assistant coach has said that he wants the booing to now stop but how would he have felt had he been on the receiving end? The fact that Ancelotti has yet to win anything with Chelsea this season may not bode well at the end of the season and with Gus Hiddink re-available, Chelsea owner Ambramovich may seek his services once more.
Losing the tie against Inter Milan may free up their fixture list to concentrate on the Premiership but they still have at least one more clash in the FA Cup, possibly two with both also going into extra time to contend with. Manchester United on the other hand look to be getting to their peak and are out of the FA Cup saving them a few fixtures on the way.
Losing in any competition does have major after effects for any team and losing in the first knockout stage of the Champions League may be one knock too many for the West London club who seem to be having defensive problems at the wrong time during the season.
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