Chelsea lost at the San Siro but got an important away goal while Sevilla secured a 1-1 draw at CSKA Moscow.
Things got off to a roaring start in Italy as on-fire Inter Milan striker cut inside Chelsea's John Terry and swung a shot past Petr Cech within three minutes of the kick-off.
The visitors responded with a vengeance befitting a side that considers itself a contender for the European crown. Nicolas Anelka and Salomon Kalou both went close in the next few minutes before Michael Ballack was fouled some way outside the box.
Up stepped Didier Drogba - another striker in the form of his life. The Ivorian unleashed a fierce free-kick from 32 metres out which thundered into the cross bar and bounced away to safety.
That was the closest Chelsea would get to breaking through in the first 45 minutes although both Ballack and John Obi Mikel tested Cesar from outside the box. The Blues were also unlucky to be denied a penalty when Kalou went down inside the penalty area under a challenge from defender Walter Samuel.
It became a lot brighter for the London side at the start of the second half. Branislav Ivanovic fed the ball to Kalou on the edge of the area and the forward's curling strike eluded the hands of the Nerazzurri keeper. It was a howler from Cesar but a deserved equaliser for Chelsea nonetheless.
However, Inter were ahead again within four minutes. Esteban Cambiasso's first attempt struck John Terry and came back to the defender who made no mistake at the second time of asking, blasting the ball past a stunned Cech.
Lampard went close for Ancelotti's side in the 66th minute from six yards out but Cesar parried his shot clear. Chelsea continued to press forward but clear cut chances were few and far between as Inter shut shop to protect their lead.
Inter Milan vs Chelsea Player Ratings
In Wednesday's other game - Sevilla came away with a 1-1 draw at Moscow that makes them favourites to make it through to the last eight.
Negredo put Sevilla in front after stealing behind his marker and slotting in the ball from close range after Jesus Navas had crossed it into the box.
The home side enjoyed the better opportunities to score though, with Japanese striker Keisuke Honda looking the most dangerous. However CSKA were guilty were not testing keeper Andres Palop enough - with most of their strikes going wide of the target.
It took a spectacular strike from Mark Gonzalez from way outside the box to level things on the hour mark. CSKA dominated possession from there on but their profilgacy in front of goal continued to let them down. And that might prove to be decisive in the final scheme of things.
Match Reports and Reactions
Lampard: Away goal gives us a chance
Ancelotti: We can turn it around
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