Inter coach Jose Mourinho is not taking anything for granted after a 1-0 result in the first leg against CSKA Moscow in the Champions League quarter-finals and is hoping for a repeat performance tomorrow night.
"The 1-0 result from the first leg is an open result. We're in the semi-finals if we don't concede a goal, but if we score a goal we have an even better chance of reaching the semi-final, and if they score first it will become very difficult. But football is not about 'ifs'," he said to Sky Sport Italia.
"We played very well in the first leg but, unfortunately for us, we only scored one goal, so we need balance and concentration."
The former Chelsea tactician says he is pleased with the club's performances thus far in the Champions League, but will not look ahead to the potential match-ups in the semi-finals should Inter qualify.
"I'm confident because of the way we played in the first leg and because of how we have played in our last few Champions League games. We have only lost at home to the European champions this year. All this makes me confident, but we still have to play this game - a complicated game - to reach the semi-finals," continued the 47-year-old.
"I'm not thinking about who we might face in the semi-final. Do we feel favorites? You are only favorites before the match, but no one is favorites on the pitch. You have to see what will happen."
Meanwhile, in-form midfielder Wesley Sneijder picked up an injury during Monday's training session.
"He has had a problem. We will wait and hope. I will wait on him and all the others until the last moment. This is the most important game of the season and I will take any necessary risks," he said at a press conference.
"If he did not finish the workout, it's because he was not good, but I expect he will play. I'm hopeful, in my opinion he'll play."
Mourinho did state that CSKA Moscow have one advantage over Inter already. The club had their match this past weekend postponed due to security fears following the Moscow Metro bombing on March 29.
"CSKA has already done something to win tomorrow, they did not play on Saturday," he mused.
"They used an excuse that [involved an incident that] was very sad, but they did very well. Sure, they could tell the truth."
Meanwhile, starlet Mario Balotelli scored on his return to the team against Bologna following a six-match exclusion and has also been called up for Tuesday's crucial match.
"I'm glad he's back in the squad, because we need all players," explained Mourinho.
"He's a player with great quality and is back in the team. Tomorrow he may be on the field, on the bench, or in the stands."
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