• Champions League

Mourinho accuses Barcelona of Bernabeu 'obsession'

Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho claims Barcelona's aim of winning the Champions League at the home of their bitter rivals Real Madrid has become an unhealthy obsession.

Inter lead reigning European champions Barca 3-1 after last week's semi-final first leg at the San Siro and Mourinho says a first European Cup title since 1965 would be a dream for the Italian side.

But for the Catalans, a triumph next month at the Santiago Bernabeu, home of Barca's fiercest adversaries, has more to do with obsession than a dream, according to the former Chelsea coach.

"When we came here in November (in the groups stages, when Barca won 2-0), the fans were already singing 'we're going to Madrid," Mourinho said. "What I want to say to my players is to follow the dream, not make it an obsession, because for us this is a dream and not an obsession - for Barcelona it's not a dream, it's an obsession.

"A dream is about pride and my players will be very, very proud to reach the final in Madrid, Moscow, London or wherever, but for them it is different - they reached the dream by winning the final in Rome, by winning the final in Paris. Now it's an obsession. And the obsession is called Madrid and Santiago Bernabeu.''

Barcelona are without Eric Abidal and Andres Iniesta through injury as they look to overturn a two-goal deficit.

Inter Milan have been boosted by the news of Wesley Sneijder's fitness. The Holland midfielder was reportedly struggling with a thigh problem, but Mourinho insisted the former Madrid man will start at the Nou Camp.

Inter Milan hold the edge, but defending champions Barcelona will give it everything to reach the final at the Bernabeu. If it is all level after extra-time, Jose Mourinho's side are 50/1 to win on penalties with Stan James.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.