Chelsea and Mourinho out to turn back the clock

Chelsea's coach Jose Mourinho addresses a press conference on the eve of the Champions league match against Betis at the Ruiz de Lopera stadium in Seville

It's a curious statistic but, for all their other successes, it has now been a year since Chelsea won away from home in the Champions League.

The reigning English champions lost all three of their away matches in last season's knockout stage and drew 0-0 against Liverpool when they travelled to Anfield last month for their Champions League group G encounter.

Now Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho wants to consign the small blot on his copybook to history but recognises that Real Betis, his opponents on Tuesday, may not be so accommodating despite them losing their last four games.

"We have to respect this team," said Mourinho at a press conference in Seville on Monday, even though his men hammered Betis 4-0 when they visited Stamford Bridge two weeks ago.

"The best way is to remember the game in London, when they started very well. To be fair, they started better than us and they gave us a few problems. We have to understand that the game tomorrow is not an easy one.

"What's important is to go to the next stage, but if we go now or in the last game it is not a big difference.

"We know that three points will give us the next round, one point will get us almost there, but we know even a defeat will leave us in the first two positions, so our situation is a good situation," added the Portuguese coach.

Chelsea's manage Jose Mourinho revealed that Irish striker Damien Duff, seen here 02 October 2005., will definitely see some action against Betis after his super-quick recovery from a cartiledge operation

Mourinho conceded that a few small chinks have started to appear in the Blues armour in the last eight days.

Chelsea dropped Premiership points with a draw at struggling Everton.

They followed this up by going out of the League Cup on penalties to Charlton last week, before bouncing back by beating Blackburn 4-2 on Saturday.

"There is always space for improvement. When I look back for the last weeks, of course I was surprised with some defensive mistakes that we made," acknowledged Mourinho.

"But maybe one month ago if you asked me I would say we are defending perfectly, we are breaking records.

"We are conceding too many goals compared with the past. So the secret is to improve in some certain areas but not losing what we are strong at," added the man who guided Porto to the Champions League title two years ago.

Mourinho revealed that Irish striker Damien Duff will definitely see some action against Betis after his super-quick recovery from a cartiledge operation.

"Damien is a great player and a special character. Hes very important for us as a player and I think he gave a great example of how important it is to be a tough guy and recover from a serious injury like he did.

"Its not a record and we are not here to make records, but its fantastic. Our medical department is brilliant, working with him three times a day, and its a big, big award for them and him to be ready to play tomorrow, and for sure he will play.

Chelsea's coach Jose Mourinho walks during a training session on the eve of their Champions League clash against Spanish side Real Betis at the Ruiz de Lopera stadium in Seville

"I have all four (fitness concerns) perfect. Joe Cole, Shaun (Wright-Phillips), Duff and (Arjen) Robben, all are in good shape, playing well. For sure, two will start and two will be on the bench," said Mourinho.

Duff was delighted at being fit in half to time that had been predicted.

"Ive been back training for four or five days and I feel good. The surgeon said four to six weeks and its three today so Im pleased," said Duff at the pre-match press conference.

Duff also believes that Betis will come out fighting despite their dismal run of results which has seen them concede 14 goals and score just two in their last four games.

"Theyll be desperate to turn us over, desperate to get a positive result. I watched the game on Saturday when they lost to Real Madrid, but theyre obviously going to be up for it," added Duff.

Missing out on the World Cup next summer, after Ireland failed to qualify, has given Duff an extra appetite for Champions League success with Chelsea, who reached the semi-finals last year before going out to eventual winners Liverpool.

"Its a huge disappointment in anyones career to go out but now Im just looking forward to the rest of the season.

"Ive been at Chelsea two-and-a-half years and its exciting times playing in the Champions League. When Im missing out next summer it will seem even more exciting," admitted Duff.