Udinese vs Inter Milan preview - We need a great game - Mancini

Posted Monday, April 27, 2015 by PA

Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini has warned his players to expect a very difficult game at Udinese on Tuesday.

The Nerazzurri travel to the Friuli stadium having collected seven points of a possible nine in their last three games.

Saturday's 2-1 triumph over Roma lifted Inter to ninth in the standings.

"We have to continue to work because we are still making mistakes," Mancini said to the Italian press. "We now go to Udine without taking for granted that we are going to win.

"In order to win at Udinese we need to play a great game."

Victory on Tuesday would allow Inter to maintain their push for European football next season.

The Nerazzurri are five points adrift of fifth-placed Sampdoria, who hold the last Europa League qualifying spot with five games remaining.

"Getting into Europe doesn't depend on us," Mancini said. "We've had a negative season.

"We need to win as many games as possible and hope for a slip up from the teams in front of us in the standings."

Udinese halted a six-match winless run with a 2-1 home triumph over AC Milan on Sunday.

The victory lifted Udinese to 13th in the standings, seven points adrift of Inter.

"Udinese proved against AC Milan they are on the road to recovery," Mancini said. "They have talented players and a coach that knows Inter very well."

Udinese manager Andrea Stramaccioni began his coaching career at Inter and guided the Nerazzurri's first team to a ninth-place finish in the 2012-13 campaign before being shown the door.

Stramaccioni joined Udinese last summer and has guided the Friuli side to nine wins in 33 league games in charge.

"We are one win away from achieving our aim of defending our Serie A status, " Stramaccioni said. "But we cannot rest on our laurels because Inter are coming to town on Tuesday and we need to approach this game with the same hunger as we showed against Milan."

Inter will not be at full strength with defenders Andrea Ranocchia and Juan Jesus both serving a one-match ban.

Udinese will be bolstered by the return of midfielder Bruno Fernandes from suspension.