A lot of lads would give a lot to be called the special one, but for Jose Mourinho that tag comes naturally, which is easily linked to his achievements on the pitch. The maverick of rare and distinctive hue is too often portrayed as cagey in his tactics and in some quarters, just blatantly negative. Interestingly, it is quite easy to accept these conclusions whenever you watch a football team guided by Jose Mourinho, because the singular trait that shines through is their determination to excel. They contest for ball with such bullish vigor and launch attacking forays unperturbed by collateral damage that we lose sight of the fact that Mourinho is surely more that brute.

He is indeed a perfect game reader, an ability he now has a perfect opportunity to exhibit in front of the Nou Camp faithfuls, with the added bonus of dismissing his global skeptics who have been praying fervently for a Messi revival. This game is a perfect challenge for the special one. With the contest tilted in Inter favor at 3 – 1 from the first leg, Jose is ready once more to startle everyone with his tactics and team selection. At Stanford Bridge Inter showed a glimpse of the true tactician in the Portuguese when he started with 4-4-2 formation, attacking in every sense with Millito and Eto’o at the forefront. A formation that was surprisingly similar to that of Ancelotti. Only a Mourinho could start a match of that texture with such an offensive line up of soccer players and one which was thoroughly unwilling, even for a moment, to hold on to a slender one goal advantage, buoyed by their own capacity to score away from home.

I foresee an Inter team going all out to get away goals because Mourinho would want to accept the fact that Barcelona can score goals, good goals, especially at home. The key factor would then be how many goals each side can produce which I guess favours the Italians. Such an open game is bound to frighten Guardiola because just one away goal means Barcelona most score three against an Inter side good defensively to take the match beyond regulation time. What a mouth watering prospect.