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Drogba Plots Chelsea’s Downfall As Mourinho Attacks Mancini

Ivory Coast international Didier Drogba will take in an emotional reunion with Chelsea when Galatasaray host the Blues in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League last-16 encounter.

Drogba’s final act as a Stamford Bridge player was to convert the winning penalty as Chelsea’s long wait for European success came to an end in thrilling fashion back in 2012.

With the Ivorian striker having taken the decision to move on as a free agent that summer, his nerveless spot kick against Bayern Munich saw him collect the last of 10 titles in a blue shirt.

While Chelsea will forever hold a special place in his heart, Drogba is now plotting their continental downfall as he prepares to spearhead Galatasaray’s attack in Istanbul.

Jose Mourinho will be fully aware of the threat posed by the 35-year-old frontman, having taken him to England, and will be looking for John Terry and co to keep a close eye on their former colleague.

The Champions League was the one major honour to elude Mourinho during his first spell as Chelsea boss and – having previously lifted the crown with Porto and Inter Milan – he will be hoping to complete the set in 2014.

The Blues, who reached this stage after topping Group E, certainly have the pedigree to go all the way.

After claiming European football’s grandest prize two years ago, last season saw them prevail in the Europa League – so they have their sights set on a memorable hat-trick.

Meanwhile, Mourinho has dismissed Roberto Mancini’s claim that he was responsible for Inter Milan UEFA Champions League success in 2010.

The current Chelsea manager replaced Mancini at Inter in 2008 and led the Italian side to two Italian league titles, the Italian cup and the Champions League.

Speaking ahead of Chelsea’s Champions League last-16 game against Mancini’s Galatasaray, Mourinho said there was no doubt who was responsible for Inter’s success.

 “It’s funny, it’s funny. It’s funny because my team in the final had Lucio, Thiago Motta, Diego Milito, Samuel Eto’o, Goran Pandev and Wesley Sneijder.

“From my 11 players, he didn’t work with six of them.

“So he made a five-a-side team because I played with only five players from his team.”

Mancini had earlier claimed: “Mourinho won the Champions League because he took a very good team.

“He took a team that, like Manchester City, I had built, a team that had a strong mentality.

“When I went to Inter, they played very bad football and we changed this.”