Group G
Kick-off: 19:45 (BST)
Inter coach Roberto Mancini has called on his side to be more ruthless when they entertain CSKA Moscow in Milan.
Inter were made to pay for some lax finishing in Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Juventus, and Mancini is demanding an improvement in front of goal against CSKA as Inter seek a third successive Group G victory.
“We need to be more ruthless in front of goal,” he said. “As a match progresses anything can happen – players can get injured, your team can tire. So it is important to take your chances when they come.”
Inter will be without Luís Figo who broke a leg on Sunday, and who joins Marco Materazzi (thigh), Patrick Vieira (calf), Dejan Stankovi? (ankle) and Francesco Toldo (foot) on the sidelines. Nonetheless, Mancini remains upbeat about his side’s prospects.
“If we win, we won’t be far away from qualifying but it won’t be easy because CSKA have key players back from injury and they need to win to stay alive,” said Mancini.
“I said at the very start that CSKA were a good side and I still think that they are the best team in Russia, even if they are now out of the championship race,” he said. “They have players who are technically excellent. It is true that they are at the tail-end of their season and might be somewhat tired but they are capable of causing us problems and we need to be on our guard. I’m expecting another tough contest.”
CSKA are boosted by the return of Igor Akinfeev, Aleksei Berezutski and Vagner Love, who could partner Jo up front.
“We will play as though we are at home,” said CSKA coach Valeri Gazzaev. “We have to because anything less than a win is not enough. We played a great first half against Inter, sustained injuries to two players and our goalkeeper made a bad mistake for their winner. If we avoid silly mistakes we have a chance.”
