Inter Milan boss Jose Mourinho insists his knowledge of Chelsea does not give him an advantage in the eagerly-awaited Champions League showdown (Inter 6/4, Chelsea 19/10, the draw 21/10 in Betfred’s first leg odds).

Mourinho was in charge at Stamford Bridge between 2004 to 2007 and worked successfully with the likes of Frank Lampard, John Terry, Didier Drogba and Petr Cech.

There have been suggestions the Portuguese coach’s so-called ‘inside knowledge’ of the Blues could give him the upper hand in the tactical battle with opposite number Carlo Ancelotti in Wednesday’s first leg, but Mourinho refutes the claim.

At the pre-match press conference, he said: “I know Chelsea well but that doesn’t mean it’s any easier.

“Sometimes it’s more difficult when you know so much about the team. If you don’t decide what’s the right information to give new players about old players, you can get into trouble.”

Meanwhile, Ancelotti admitted Mourinho will know all about Chelsea but he agreed that does not automatically mean that Inter are the favourites to progress (11/1 for Chelsea to win 2-0 on the night in match bets).

“I think he knows everything about us, everything about our players, but I don’t think it’s an advantage at all,” the Chelsea chief said.