Deschamps: Inter still a formidable side
Reuters - Tuesday 21 February 2012, 11:44
Inter Milan's
losing run in Serie A will count for nothing when they meet
Olympique Marseille in the Champions League last 16 first-leg
match at the Stade Velodrome on Wednesday, according to
Marseille coach Didier Deschamps.
Deschamps told a news conference that Inter would be a tough
nut to crack in Europe's premium competition.
"I have already warned that this side is not the one we saw
in their last Serie A games," he said.
Deschamps pointed out that Inter were similar to the team
who won the Champions League in 2010.
"They have great players, all internationals. They can hurt
us with their offensive line-up: [Diego] Milito, [Wesley] Sneijder, [Giampaolo] Pazzini,
[Diego] Forlan, [Mauro] Zarate. Individually, they're capable of everything," he
said.
Marseille are unbeaten in their last 15 games in all
competitions while Inter have lost five of their last six
matches, conceding 15 goals.
It does not mean, however, that Wednesday's game will be
easy for Marseille.
"Their players don't make a lot of mistakes. We will have to
be very vigilant, because they are very efficient," said
Deschamps.
Inter coach Claudio Ranieri expects just that from his
players.
"It's the game we need to get back on track. Our team need
adrenaline to play great games," he told a news conference.
Ranieri, who said he felt "supported" by Inter president
Massimo Moratti, added that the Marseille clash was the perfect
"moment to react."