Internazionale v Qarabağ background

FC Internazionale Milano are playing host to Azerbaijani opponents for a second time, with Qarabağ FK keen to break new ground in UEFA Europa League Group F.

Form guide
• The only other Azeri side to reach the UEFA Europa League proper also met Inter in the group stage, Neftçi PFK losing 3-1 in Baku in 2012/13 but earning a 2-2 draw in the return fixture in Milan.

• Inter have won all three of their European games this season, scoring ten goals without reply. They are unbeaten in seven continental matches at San Siro (W4 D3).

• Qarabağ are on a run of three straight draws in UEFA competition.

Trivia and links
• This is Qarabağ's 50th UEFA fixture; the previous 49 ended W19 D12 L18.

• The 1-0 win at FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk on matchday one was Inter's 350th European match; their record in those encounters is W175 D86 L89.

• Neftçi PFK recorded three draws and three defeats in their pioneering group stage campaign. Qarabağ can thus break new ground and become the first Azerbaijani team to win a UEFA group stage game.

The coaches
• In charge at Inter since May 2013, Walter Mazzarri was a journeyman midfielder who worked his way up the divisions as a coach. After a notable spell at UC Sampdoria, he led SSC Napoli to Coppa Italia glory in 2011/12 and a runners-up finish in Serie A the following season before switching to Inter.

• Mazzarri turns 53 on the eve of the Qarabağ game.

• Qarabağ coach Gurban Gurbanov is Azerbaijan's all-time top scorer at international level with 14 goals. He played in Russia but enjoyed perhaps his most celebrated years with Neftçi, where he later started out as a coach. In charge at Qarabağ since 2008, he led the club to their second title – after a 21-year wait – last season.