Jose Mourinho has been extremely respectful ahead of his return to the Camp Nou with Serie A leaders Inter Milan, so much so that the 46 year old is downplaying the form of his own team.

And let’s not forget the return of Samuel Eto’o….

Via Guardian

“Only Guardiola and I respected this group. Everyone thought Inter and Barcelona would be first and second and that it would be a stroll in eastern Europe”, Mourinho said. “But the other two teams aren’t here on holiday and, who knows, they may send one of us to the Europa League and the other one home.”

“Barcelona are the best team in Europe and in the Champions League and the odds on them winning it have not changed”, Mourinho added. “I prefer to play a game that is going to be very difficult than a game that is going to be too easy for us. A Chelsea versus Liverpool for me is better than a Chelsea versus Birmingham – games worry me more when there is a question about getting the players motivated.”

“I come back to Barcelona with only gratitude for all the experience that they game me in my formation as a coach. But I have played six games against them with Chelsea and Inter and they have been emotional games. I have a debt to Barça but I want to beat them with all my soul every time I play them.”