by Toffeehater » Tue Feb 19, 2008 8:03 pm
Inter Milan captain Javier Zanetti insists Liverpool's FA Cup disaster means "nothing" in terms of the clubs' Champions League showdown.
Liverpool suffered a humiliating 2-1 home defeat against Coca-Cola Championship Barnsley in the fifth round of competition at the weekend - heaping further pressure on manager Rafael Benitez.
But Zanetti has warned his team-mates that, despite the loss, Liverpool are still formidable opponents in the last-16 Champions League match first-leg clash at Anfield.
"What happened to them in the Cup means nothing - they are a marvellous club with great history," Zanetti reasons.
"This is a big challenge for us. But we have a winning mentality which comes from playing for a big club - and we are intent on winning this match.
"In some ways this tie is an examination for us, against a team who have won regularly in Europe. Last season we lost in Valencia in this competition, even though we won the league at home.
"Now we are winning our league again. But we have not proved ourselves in Europe, and playing Liverpool is a big test for us.
"But we feel we are well equipped to go further in this competition."
Inter have three players in their squad in Hernan Crespo, Marco Materazzi and Patrick Vieira who have experience of playing in the English top flight.
Zanetti confirmed the trio have told their Nerazzurri team-mates to expect a vociferous atmosphere at Anfield.
He added: "All three of them have warned us of the atmosphere at Anfield and what we can expect - we hope we are prepared for that.
"We know we cannot afford any mistakes at this level. We will be facing a great club in a great stadium with tremendous support.
"We have tremendous respect for Liverpool - we will have two very difficult ties against them."
Inter coach Roberto Mancini echoed Zanetti's comments after his own playing experience in England and warned there could be a backlash from the Barnsley result.
"From my own time playing in England for Leicester, I know how important the FA Cup is," said Mancini.
"But what happened on Saturday to Liverpool will have no bearing on this coming match. I have seen the match and saw that Liverpool created lots of chances but did not score.
"The fact that they are not playing well in their domestic matches at the moment means they have to give everything in Europe, and that makes them a very dangerous opponent indeed."
Mancini will make a late decision on Vieira, who has struggled with injury - having started just two games this season in Serie A.
Inter also have injury problems over Luis Jimenez (leg), Maicon (hip), Ivan Cordoba (ankle) and Dejan Stankovic (back) - while Cesar is suspended.
Mancini added: "We will have to be careful here - league form and Champions League form are two different things.
"We feel that to win here would be a prestigious victory for us, but we know that this will be a very hard place to win at."
