Defiant Zanetti backs Inter

By Brian Brownstein

Javier Zanetti believes FC Internazionale Milano can bury the ghosts of their 2002/03 UEFA Champions League semi-final defeat by AC Milan - by beating their city rivals this time around.

Revenge mission
Inter trail Milan 2-0 after the first leg of their quarter-final six days ago, yet Zanetti says the Nerazzurri have the ability to overturn the deficit and finally consign their disappointment of 2003 to the history books. "Milan weren't better than us when they beat us in the semi-final two years ago," Zanetti told uefa.com. "Both teams could have reached the final but Milan went through on the away-goals rule.

Passion in reserve
"Hopefully this time we will get more luck and we can leave that game in the past," he added. "Both teams have changed since 2003 and we both play a different type of football. I actually think Inter are stronger than two years ago - we have matured, and we have more options in every position. That makes us stronger and I hope we can show it in the second leg."

Nothing's impossible
Although Zanetti realises Milan hold all the cards ahead of the second leg at the San Siro stadium both teams share, the Inter captain still fancies his side's chances of progress. The 31-year-old took comfort from Inter's showing last week, saying: "Milan are certainly favourites, but in football, nothing is impossible. We may be two goals down, but we have to believe in our chances of winning the tie. We are aware of our own strength, and we will try to create many problems for them.

Two lapses
"We played an excellent game in the first leg, and there were just two moments that cost us with the two goals," added Zanetti. "Inter played better than Milan in the first half, but their first goal just before half-time knocked us out of our stride. They hadn't threatened us at all up to that point so we know what we can do."

Massive opportunity
Zanetti also feels the Nerazzurri fans could have an important role in the outcome of the tie. With more than 70,000 Interisti packing the stadium, the Argentinian international insists they can spur the team on to a sensational victory. He said: "We desperately want to continue our path in the Champions League, and we consider ourselves fortunate to play in a great match like this. The whole squad is in form and we know how to approach a match which means so much.

Twelfth player
"We know the importance of this game and what it means for us, the club and the fans," he continued. "Our supporters will be right behind us and no one can doubt their faith in us. They can help us win against Milan."