Inter Milan vs FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk preview - Mancini demands Europa victory

Posted Thursday, November 27, 2014 by PA

Roberto Mancini is hoping his Inter Milan players can hand him a perfect 50th birthday present and beat Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk in Thursday's Europa League Group F match at the San Siro.

The Italians will claim a place in the last 32 of the competition with a victory or a draw, although only one result is acceptable for the coach.

Mancini, who turns 50 on the day of the match, told www.inter.it. "We face a difficult game but we must win.

"They are a good side and we will have to play a great game to beat them."

"But we must secure qualification tomorrow."

Mancini must watch the match from the Giuseppe Meazza stands because of a one-match touchline ban he picked up while coaching Galatasaray last season.

"I really didn't know I was suspended until three days ago," he said.

Mancini won three successive Serie A titles with Inter during his four years in charge before leaving in 2008.

He is looking for his first triumph since returning during the international break to Inter for a second stint as a replacement for Walter Mazzarri.

Mancini says the past 10 years have flown by.

"I turned 40 while at Inter and I never thought possible that I would turn 50 here," he said. "But in this job you have the possibility to work with youngsters and you don't feel your age."

Inter, who drew 1-1 at AC Milan on Sunday in Mancini's first game in charge, are ninth in Serie A.

The Nerazzurri have fared better in Europe and hold a four-point cushion at the top of the pool.

St Etienne, Dnipro and Qarabag are all level on four points with two games remaining.

Inter won 1-0 at Dnipro in their opening group game and are unbeaten in nine European home encounters.

Dnipro have avoided defeat in their last three European away games and head into the contest second in the Ukrainian Premier League, three points adrift of leaders Dynamo Kiev.

Dnipro coach Myron Markevych will be without suspended striker Roman Zozulya while Brazilian forward Matheus is not fully fit.

The hosts are without Brazilian defender Jonathan, who is out injured.