Chelsea suffered a first leg defeat to former boss Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan in their UEFA Champions League last-16 first-leg tie at the Giuseppe Meazza.
Inter got off to the perfect start when Diego Milito cut inside and fired in with only three minutes gone.
Salomon Kalou equalised with what could eventually prove a crucial away goal early in the second half.
But a wonder strike from Esteban Cambiasso settled the contest to earn Mourinho the bragging rights and Inter a narrow advantage going into the second leg on 16th March.
Predictably, Mourinho's first match against the club he led for two-and-a-half successful and eventful seasons took centre stage but this was an encounter laden with context.
Inter celebrated in style, but their manager remained muted to suggest a respect for the club he left in 2007, greeting the goal with only an approving nod from his seat in the Inter dugout.
Under Mourinho, Chelsea were often accused of an overly cautious approach that came at the expense of entertainment, but Ancelotti affords his charges greater licence to be expansive and, on the front foot, they are an attractive team to watch.
After the game Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard said: "I think we deserved a bit more. But if we can put our chances away in the second leg we've got a great chance.
Mourinho would've expected nothing less from all his charges. He will have them well drilled and fired up for his emotional return to West London in the second leg, that's for sure.
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