Inter Milan vs Marseille preview - Milito wants to win it for Ranieri

Posted Tuesday, March 13, 2012 by PA

Inter Milan striker Diego Milito is confident his team can ease pressure on boss Claudio Ranieri by progressing to the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

Despite the backing of Inter president Massimo Moratti, Ranieri's position has become uncertain following a poor run of results.

Andre Ayew's late winner in the 1-0 defeat at Marseille a fortnight ago came in the middle of a nine-game winless run that was finally ended with a 2-0 success at Chievo on Friday night.

Milito scored in added time to seal the win and the Argentinian believes the overdue success will inspire them to turnaround the deficit against an OM side who are themselves struggling.

"We're convinced we can overturn the result. We played very well in the first leg and didn't deserve to lose," he said.

"We're sure that we can win with the help of our fans.

"We're sure we can still do well in the Champions League. Of course it is a different sort of competition. If we get through this round we'll be among the top eight teams in Europe.

"Tuesday's match is massive and we're desperate to do well. And after that we'll have everything to play for - this team have already shown they're capable of going all the way."

Moratti offered Ranieri his full backing after the win at Chievo, although an early Champions League exit could test his patience.

"It's not easy for a coach to read in the papers every day that there's a new coach coming in to replace him," Moratti told Sky Sports Italia.

"Ranieri is professional, he's getting on with his job and he has my complete support in this difficult time that he's experiencing and that we're trying to get through."

Despite Ranieri's problems his opposite number, Didier Deschamps, is under just as much pressure following an alarming slump in form.

Since beating Inter, OM have lost their past four league games, without scoring, to slip to eighth in the Ligue 1 table.

A 1-0 reverse at relegation-threatened Ajaccio at the weekend was only sweetened by the return of star striker Loic Remy from injury as a half-time substitute.

The France international is set to start at San Siro tomorrow night and fellow attacker Mathieu Valbuena believes he could help claim a win to turn their season around.

"If we are fortunate enough to qualify for the quarter-finals, it will give us the confidence and serenity for the rest of the season," he told L'Equipe.

"Our recent results have not been good. If we can get through this it will be huge."