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Old 04-20-2010   #4
MORPHEUSP
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Inter coach Jose Mourinho has cautioned Barcelona that they will not find his side to be pushovers in the Champions League semi-finals, with the first leg on Tuesday in Milan.

Barcelona and the Nerazzurri met earlier this season in the competition's group stages, in which they drew 0-0 at the San Siro before Barca secured an easy 2-0 win at Camp Nou.

"Barcelona showed superiority and deservedly won, we did not have the ability to respond to their dominance," he said at a press conference, according to tuttosport.

"It was November. [Now] They are good, just as they were in November, but we are much better than in November."

"I accept that the world of football say they are favoured, but I think there is a 50-50 chance."

Many have suggested that whoever wins this semi-final will win the tournament, but the former Chelsea boss insists that whoever makes it into the final will still come up against extremely competitive opponents.

"I don't like that. This a semi-final and then you must play the actual final, which is in Madrid," he added.

"Lyon and Bayern Munich have the same percentages as Inter and Barcelona to win the cup.

"The road to win the Champions League is long and, for me, it has never been an easy one. It is obviously more difficult to play the second leg away."

Meanwhile, the club's official website, inter.it, have further quotes from the Portuguese tactician.

"Where will [Wesley] Sneijder play? This is a one-million dollar question," he continued.

"For Barcelona will Maxwell or [Eric] Abidal play? [Dani] Alves at left-back or further up like he did against Real Madrid? [Gabi] Milito or [Carles] Puyol? [Seydou] Keita on the right or Keita on the left? I'd really like the answers to these questions, but I don't think [Barcelona coach Pep] Guardiola will address them in his press conference."

Mourinho then commented on how he intends to halt Ballon d'Or holder Lionel Messi, who was a major factor in defeating Arsenal in the quarter-finals.

"Messi? It's my belief football is not about man-marking, for this reason it's not one versus Messi and 10 against 10, but it's obvious he deserves special attention."


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