But the Blues boss refused to reveal whether Fernando Torres, Didier Drogba or both would be in his line-up, claiming he had yet to tell his players.

If body language is anything to go by, Torres looks likely to be recalled, with Ancelotti spending the opening few minutes of training this morning engaged in discussion and friendly banter with the misfiring Spaniard, even pretending to throttle and punch him.

Explaining the exchange, Ancelotti said: "I would like to maintain a good atmosphere on the pitch, in training.

"My players know very well when they have to be serious on the pitch and when it can be fun."

Ancelotti continued to back Torres, who has now gone 10 matches for club and country without scoring and nine since his £50million move to Stamford Bridge.

"Criticism is not in Chelsea. It's outside Chelsea," he said.

"We have seen Torres play well for the team.

"He didn't score, obviously. He's not happy for this reason, but he played well for the team.

"I hope he plays the same tomorrow - for the team."

Ancelotti denied Torres' price tag put pressure on him to start the Spaniard, saying: "I already decided and I never had the pressure to choose the line-up."

The Italian is under pressure, however, to deliver the Champions League, with Ancelotti brought in by billionaire owner Roman Abramovich with that goal in mind.

Having won it twice while AC Milan manager, Ancelotti knows what Chelsea need in order to end their long wait.

"They have experience, they have ability, to do everything to try to win the Champions League," he said.

"They've come so close to winning it.

"Unfortunately, some little details were not good.

"I hope this season we can have better luck. But we have to deserve the luck.

"In the end, if you deserve to win, you will win."