Paris Saint-Germain coach Laurent Blanc has refused to be drawn into Jose Mourinho's mind games ahead of their Champions League tie, admitting the Chelsea boss "is a lot stronger" than him in out-psyching opponents.
Prior to Monday's Champions League last 16 draw, Mourinho stated he hoped to draw PSG in the knockout stages as "it would be easy to travel for us and to travel for the fans," and added: "They are a very good team, and I would prefer a very good team, as that will motivate my boys."
Mourinho's men got the better of the French champions last season when Demba Ba's late goal in the second leg at Stamford Bridge sent Chelsea through to the semifinals at PSG's expense.
Having once more been pitted against the Portuguese, Blanc said he would not attempt to challenge Mourinho via the media.
"I have no game to play with Jose on that point. He's a lot stronger than me. Everyone knows him very well. You love that," the PSG boss told the media ahead of his team's Coupe de la Ligue tie at AC Ajaccio on Wednesday.
"He's very strong in that area, and not only in that area. He must have weighed things up, anticipated the probability of the draw, and said to himself that he was going to make a little statement. Reply to him? That's exactly what he's waiting for..."