Ranieri demands show of character from Inter

Claudio Ranieri is demanding that his under-fire FC Internazionale Milano players show their character against a LOSC Lille Métropole side whose coach Rudi Garcia wants a goal or two at San Siro.

Inter
Coach Claudio Ranieri
This is a rather delicate period in our season. We have a lot of respect for Lille because they are a good team and they haven't lost an away match for a long time [9 April]. They also won here at San Siro against AC Milan [in 2006]. But we'll try to win and qualify for the next round.

We are disappointed about Saturday's loss to Juventus but we have a lot of character and mental strength in this squad – and that is my strength, too. We have made some tactical mistakes but we are back on track.

I'd like to have all my players fit and available but I have had a lot of problems with injuries. However, these are difficulties we must face up to and resolve. We haven't had great results but the players are working very hard with a great deal of determination and commitment.

Weekend result
Saturday: Inter 1-2 Juventus (Maicon 28; Vučinić 12, Marchisio 33)
Castellazzi; Maicon, Lúcio, Chivu, Nagatomo; Zanetti, Cambiasso, Obi (Stanković 64); Sneijder (Álvarez 78); Zárate (Castaignos 46), Pazzini

• Juventus inflicted Inter's second home league defeat of the season. The Nerazzurri only lost once at San Siro − against Milan last term − in their previous three Serie A campaigns.

Team news
Maiconand Júlio César (both thigh) are certain absentees, while Walter Samuel, Coutinho and Thiago Motta have been out with similar injuries. though Motta has been named in the squad. Luca Caldirola was unavailable on Saturday with a twisted left ankle, while Yuto Nagatomo (calf) is definitely out. Wesley Sneijder (thigh) is also a doubt and is facing a late fitness test.

Lille
Coach Rudi Garcia
It's wonderful to be here at the San Siro − you can breathe great football in the air. Tomorrow it will be very important to score. As the home team Inter will be more attacking, but we need points and have to try to win the game.

We weren't great against Valenciennes on Sunday, but had performed well before that. We suffered a couple of important injuries in the game − to [Florent] Balmont and [Marko] Baša − and have also had one day less to prepare. Baša hasn't travelled and we have to check on [Aurélien] Chedjou's condition.

[On being a nominee for the FIFA Men's Football Coach of the Year] I was voted among the top ten coaches of the year − I thought it was a joke. It's a great reward for last season so I say thank you to the club and players.

Weekend result
Sunday: Valenciennes FC 0-0 Lille
Landreau; Debuchy, Baša (Bonnart 6), Rozehnal, Béria; Balmont (De Melo 57), Mavuba, Pedretti; Payet, Sow (Cole 77), Hazard

• Lille were held at third-bottom Valenciennes but are now 13 games unbeaten away from home in all competitions.

Team news
Baša came off with a shoulder injury on Sunday, while Balmont was replaced with a muscular problem having just returned from a dead leg. Chedjou has been out since 23 October with a thigh injury, but Túlio De Melo (leg) and Laurent Bonnart (knee) are available again.

Match fact
Inter have lost three of their last five fixtures at home to Ligue 1 sides, winning only one. They went down 1-0 to Olympique de Marseille in the last home game, a 2003/04 UEFA Cup quarter-final, having lost the away leg by the same scoreline.