Can Mourinho make Champions League history this campaign?

Surely that must have stung, but Mourinho was magnanimous when speaking of that missed milestone. The ‘Special One’ revealed that, “When Real Madrid won it in 2014 the club deserved it. The club deserved it totally, and I was happy.”

Chelsea great value to claim the cup

Still, continental cup specialist Ancelotti is out of Mourinho’s way for now, and Chelsea are excellent value with Coral at 16/1 to win the lot this season, having superbly made it to at least the semi-final stage in seven of their last 11 Champions League attempts.

Having already tasted the ecstasy of a European trophy twice with Porto (a UEFA Cup as well as a 2004 Champions League trophy), and a first-ever Italian treble with Inter Milan in 2010, Mourinho is wise to the fine margins of success.

As Chelsea prepare to face Group G opponents Dynamo Kiev, Mourinho mused “When you get to the knockout stage, the unpredictability of every detail becomes fundamental,” and the prickly Portuguese has certainly felt the benefit of a few slices of luck himself.

It will take a ‘special’ coach to stop Blues

With bitter foe Rafa Benitez now ensconced in the Bernabeu dugout, Mourinho should be cautious of the Spaniard, who twice dumped him and Chelsea out of Europe when in charge at Anfield. Can cruel history repeat?

Also joint-favourites at 10/3 to win the Champions League are German giants Bayern Munich, where another of Mourinho’s enemies awaits. Pep Guardiola has perhaps his last chance for European glory with the Bavarians and, in a twist of fate, has the chance to beat his Iberian rival in the race for a third win.

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