DATES SET FOR INTER MATCHES

The match dates have been announced for the Champions League matches against Inter.

They are:

Internazionale Milano v Chelsea at the San Siro - Wednesday 24 February.

Chelsea v Internazionale Milano at Stamford Bridge - Tuesday 16 March.

Chelsea were pitted against the Italian champions in the first knockout round draw, held on Friday morning.

It will mean a first return to play at Stamford Bridge for Jose Mourinho since his departure from Chelsea in 2007.

The match also means another chance for Carlo Ancelotti to take very familiar opposition.

Although we have played Inter in pre-season friendlies (including last summer when we beat them in the United States), the nerazzurri have not faced us in a competitive fixture.

Chief executive Ron Gourlay, who was at the draw in Switzerland, described it as a 'fantastic' tie.

'When we arrived here this morning, everybody was talking about what would happen if we drew Inter Milan,' he said. 'It has happened and it is fantastic for the fans and for the neutrals. It will be quite spectacular and a tough game.

'I am slightly superstitious and the moment I sat down next to the Inter guys, we shook hands and said no doubt we will see each other in February.

'Drawing Inter was going to happen sooner or later and we weren't going to come away with an easy game. All the clubs are very, very difficult in their own way, and tactically Inter Milan will be prepared. But we have a fantastically experienced manager in Carlo who has won the trophy as a player and a coach and we have some very experienced players too so we will be ready.

'I am sure Jose will get a fabulous reception from our fans but he is in opposition and we need to go through over the two games.'

bandely:

We'll qualify!

BlueDiva:

Banking on CA's experience to see us through.