Carlo Ancelotti needs Joe Cole on fire if he's to trump Mourinho

Although Jose Mourinho edged the battle of wits in a gripping Champions League encounter in the San Siro last night, the Chelsea manager knows that his side can overhaul a 2-1 deficit on 16 March to progress to the last eight if they can unleash the undoubted firepower they possess up front.

The Italian will have to use all his knowledge and experience to outwit Mourinho when the Portuguese returns to Stamford Bridge for the first time since Roman Abramovich told him that he wasn't so special after all. And if he turns to Joe Cole, he may find the ace he has been looking for.

A 1-0 victory would be enough for Chelsea but it is this need to score at least one goal that will shape Mourinho's tactics in the second leg.

As crafty as a bagful of monkeys, he will devise a counter-attacking game plan that exploits the space Chelsea create in their search for goals.

Although the Premier League leaders are serious contenders for three major trophies this season, Mourinho's tactics gnawed away at Chelsea's game plan last night and raised questions about their ability to sustain a challenge on all three fronts.

As nine of Chelsea's starting line-up played under Mourinho during his three remarkable years in charge at Stamford Bridge, it was no surprise when the self-styled Special One unveiled a tactical plan that undermined much of what Ancelotti was trying to achieve on his return to the ground where he enjoyed so much success with AC Milan.

Mourinho's familiarity with the opposition meant, for instance, that Brazilian Lucio, Inter's impressive captain, allowed Didier Drogba few glimpses of goal and Esteban Cambiasso ruled the area in front of the back four.

Mourinho crowded the midfield, allowing Frank Lampard and Michael Ballack plenty of the ball but denying them the time to use it effectively.

The only space Chelsea could find was on the wings. It was a right-flank excursion by Branislav Ivanovic that wrong-footed Cambiasso, giving Salomon Kalou the chance to cancel out Diego Milito's third-minute opener - providing the away goal that could prove so crucial.

Within minutes, Cambiasso restored Inter's lead and, as Chelsea searched for ways of exploiting their long periods of possession, I thought that Ancelotti could have summoned Cole from the substitutes' bench.

Cole has played little first-team football recently but has the kind of touch and vision that can make a difference against congested defences.

With the World Cup just months away and England coach Fabio Capello watching from the posh seats, Cole would have needed little motivation but Ancelotti refused to give him a chance.

Mourinho, of course, gave Cole a chance and the player never looked back. Like most of the Chelsea team, Cole knows just what Mourinho brings to the dressing room - and those are the qualities that will test Ancelotti's European pedigree next month.

The absence of keeper Cech for the return leg would be a serious blow and any long period out of action will inevitably remind Chelsea followers of the frustrations they faced in 2006-07, when Mourinho was in charge.

They were early leaders of the Premier League that season when Cech fractured his skull against Reading and was ruled out for three months.

Chelsea dropped points in his absence and finished as runners-up to Manchester United, although they had the consolation of winning both domestic cup competitions.