Dynamo in way of Inter bandwagon

The disappointment of last season's away goals semi-final exit to arch-rivals AC Milan must now seem far from the minds of Internazionale FC.

Spectacular win
After a superb start to 2003/04 that has seen them move into early contention for Serie A without conceding a goal, and collect a spectacular 3-0 win in their opening UEFA Champions League group stage game at hotly-tipped Arsenal FC, Inter go into their home game against FC Dynamo Kyiv on Tuesday night brimming with confidence.

Lack of goals
Ironically, their one weakness domestically this term has been a lack of goals - scoring just three in four matches - a record matched in the space of 45 minutes at Highbury in their Group B opener. Inter coach Héctor Cúper believes that this is less surprising than it may appear.

'The games are open'
"The only match we have played in the Champions League we have scored three goals," he said. "This league is different from other leagues - the games are open. There are six matches and if you lose one or two you are out."

'Aggressive and quick'
Dynamo also made a winning start, seeing off FC Lokomotiv Moskva 2-0 in Kiev, and Cúper is taking nothing for granted against a team with a more than decent Champions League pedigree. "Dynamo are aggressive and quick," he said. "We have to keep our concentration when we lose the ball as they can counterattack quickly and break forward with five or six players in our half."

Selection dilemma
Cúper faces a dilemma over Christian Vieri. The striker has almost recovered from an ankle injury, but with the Milan derby looming at the weekend, the coach may continue with the combination of Julio Cruz and Obafemi Martins that saw off Arsenal. "I think if he is in good condition, at least 80 per cent fit, he will play," Cúper said of Vieri. "Although I will not forget the derby."

Materazzi out
However, Marco Materazzi's thigh injury means the defender is definitely out. Cúper admitted of the absent player who impressed at Highbury: "He was in great shape and with his fighting spirit he gave us a lot of confidence at the back. If we focus and concentrate as we did in London we can win this match."

Lineup question
Meanwhile, Dynamo coach Oleksiy Myhaylychenko has selection worries of his own. Andriy Husin is out for the group stage due to thigh surgery, while defender Olexandr Holovko is also unfit. Myhaylychenko, in response, is keeping his cards close to his chest as he seeks to mastermind a first victory for a Ukrainian side against Italian opposition in 16 attempts.

'Small problems'
"We have some small problems with injuries so I will decide the lineup just before the match," the coach said. "Husin is a great player but no one in our team is irreplaceable" As for the possible absence of Vieri, Myhaylychenko added: "They play in a different way without him as he is a target."

Solid defence
Still, Inter are a team that impresses the Dynamo coach. "We have been keeping an eye on Inter since the draw so there are few things we do not know," he said. "Inter are a good team unit. They play in a style I like, more or less the same way I like my teams to play. Their defence is really solid even if tomorrow will be a bit different as they will play at home and they will be going out to win."