Ruffier hailed by Inter and St-Étienne

• Inter's perfect Group F start was halted as St-Étienne earned a third 0-0 draw
• Both coaches praise St-Étienne goalkeeper Stéphane Ruffier
• Inter keeper Juan Pablo Carrizo also pleased to keep a clean sheet
• St-Étienne's Franck Tabanou keen to make the most of home games after falling to third
• Next game: St-Étienne v Inter (6 November)

Walter Mazzarri, Inter coach
We had more possession and I think they defended for the first time with five men because they feared us. It's not easy to find space against such an organised defence but I think we created a few chances to do it; unfortunately we did not take them, also because their goalkeeper made a few good saves, otherwise we would have found more space.

It's not easy to play a good game against a team defending so deep. I think we played well in the first half, we just missed the goals which could have changed the entire match.

Christophe Galtier, St-Étienne coach
It was genuinely a good result. We were not favourites ahead of the game. However, we have got three [goalless] draws and I have the feeling this is not enough.

Our aim here was to be on par tactically but also efficient in front of goal. Stéphane [Ruffier] made a string of good saves. Sometimes we lacked calmness and nerve. But I must say that their goalkeeper was good too. Their formation forced us to change ours in the second half. Now we must win the return leg in France.

Juan Pablo Carrizo makes a save©Getty Images

Juan Pablo Carrizo, Inter goalkeeper
It was a complicated game because they were defending deep and we struggled to have meaningful possession and find space. I'm happy with my performance. Players must always be ready whenever they are called to play and I'm happy I did just that. I believe in hard work and I was sure that sooner or later a day like this would have come.

I think we gave everything, we just need to continue working hard and good results will come. Personally I'm happy because I did my job by keeping a clean sheet and I thank our coach for this chance.

Mateo Kovačić, Inter midfielder
We expected more, it was not a good game from either side. It was a physical and tactical battle in midfield and 0-0 was a fair result. We started the season very well but now we are facing a difficult period. We played a good game against Napoli [last weekend] while today it was a strange a difficult game for us. However I think we have to continue on this path, always trying to win every game as we did today.

Franck Tabanou, St-Étienne midfielder
I think we played a good game and earned a good away result against a strong side. Maybe we had too much respect for Inter in the early stages but then we managed to play better and we also had a few chances to win.

Now we are behind Qarabağ in the group but we have two home games to play and we are confident that we can earn the points we need in front of our fans, who even gave us great support here today.