SOCCER: The positive news for Uefa is that Jose Mourinho intends to be a "good boy" this season. After the high-profile controversies involving Anders Frisk, Barcelona and fitness coaches in woolly hats, the governing body will be delighted. Chelsea's manager made it clear yesterday, though, that he will not hold back if he perceives an injustice.
Mourinho has worked to repair his relationship with Uefa and says he would love to avoid the problems that saw him banned from the touchline and dressingrooms for two games last spring. Yet the latest peace offering came with a warning.
"What I did was a consequence (of what happened)," he said. "If the competition is absolutely normal, without anything strange, I would love that. I would love to be a good boy and behave well. But if something strange happens I have to do what I have to do.
"The good thing is that last season is over. I am not suspended and I have no regrets.
"I don't look at people with bad eyes and I believe (Uefa) look to me as just one more manager. We can start from zero."
Chelsea should open with a win tonight at home to Anderlecht, who did not get a point in last season's competition, and hope it will signal the beginning of a European journey slightly longer than their past two. "Losing two semi-finals in a row makes you even more determined to win it the next time," said Frank Lampard.
Mourinho listed his team among this season's 10 possible winners and said Europe's elite club coaches considered the Champions League to be the world's best football competition.
"We all believe that the best competition is the Champions League, not the World Cup," he said. "The quality of the Champions League, especially when you go to the last part of the competition, is the highest in modern football."
Chelsea have to shuffle their defence because Asier del Horno has a thigh problem. With Wayne Bridge also out, Mourinho may switch William Gallas to left back and bring in Ricardo Carvalho. Otherwise Paulo Ferreira will play there, with Geremi at right back.
Anderlecht defender Vincent Kompany (back) is doubtful.
CHELSEA (4-3-3, probable): Cech; Ferreira, Carvalho, Terry, Gallas; Essien, Makelele, Lampard; Duff, Drogba, Robben.
ANDERLECHT (4-4-2, probable): Zitka; Vanden Borre, Juhasz, Tihinen, Deschacht; Wilhelmsson, Vanderhaeghe, De Man, Goor; Jestrovic, Mpenza.
Referee: W Stark (Germany).
Guardian Service
Rangers manager Alex McLeish has fired a warning to his players to show their best form against Porto at Ibrox tonight - or suffer the consequences.
Rangers have been boosted by the news that Porto's prolific goalscorer Benni McCarthy has been left behind for disciplinary reasons by coach Co Adriaanse.
