Inter Milan boss Simone Inzaghi has warned his side they will need to be at their best if they are to get the victory they need at Red Bull Salzburg to clinch qualification for the Champions League knock-out stages.
Inter travel to the Red Bull Arena on Wednesday second in Group D, behind Real Sociedad on goal difference, and knowing a win would ensure progression with two games to spare.
The Serie A side beat Salzburg 2-1 in the reverse fixture last month, but Inzaghi says the Austrians, who lie third in the pool, are capable of causing last season’s beaten finalists problems.
“We know the importance of tomorrow night’s match,” he said at a press conference.
“We know that we are facing opponents who have demonstrated their worth at the San Siro. Salzburg are a physical team that run a lot, with excellent players.
“We have already played here and we know how strong the enthusiasm of the fans is. We have to play an Inter match because Salzburg are a team that knows how to play these matches.
“Salzburg are a quality team, well-organised. As at the San Siro, tomorrow we will have difficulties and we should overcome them together in the best possible way.
“We will need technique and physicality. We will need the best Inter, we know the importance of the match and we will try to put on an important match.”
Inter will be without France defender Benjamin Pavard, who is facing a spell on the sidelines after dislocating his kneecap against Atalanta on Saturday.
Inzaghi said Denzel Dumfries may not be able to start the game, with Yann Aurel Bisseck an option to start at right-back.
The Inter boss said: “He (Bisseck) is working very well, he is a growing player who is showing great signs in training and in the minutes he has had available.
“Dumfries had not yet recovered fully to be able to train. I spoke about it with the doctors and physiotherapists, he is there, but it is not yet known whether he will start the match.
“I have the option of Bisseck, (Stefan) de Vrij, possibly I can put Carlos Augusto on the right.
“The possibilities are different. We could also use Darmian in that role.”
Nashville SC v San Jose Earthquakes: ‘A win would change everything’ - Godoy
Anibal Godoy insists that Nashville are already looking at their game against San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday as a must-win.
Nashville have won just once in the MLS this season and sit in 14th place in the Eastern Conference after a run of four without a win.
The Earthquakes, meanwhile, are bottom of the Western Conference having lost eight of their matches and recording just one win.
Godoy is aware of how their poor start to the season could affect their playoff hopes later down the line but is confident that Nashville can turn things around.
He said: “For us, it's an important week. It's a day we have to win, or we'll start to feel the pressure from other teams as they start to separate in the table.
“This league is long but if we want to get to the playoff you have to win games early on, especially at home.”
Liverpool agree compensation deal for Slot
Liverpool and Feyenoord have reached an agreement in principle over a compensation deal for Arne Slot to become the Reds’ manager next season, according to widespread Dutch media reports.
The Dutchman is reportedly poised to take over from Jurgen Klopp, who announced in January that he would be leaving the club at the end of the campaign.
Slot led Feyenoord to their second Eredivisie title last season after taking over the club in 2021.
It is believed that he topped the list of Liverpool’s favoured candidates due to his attacking playing style and ability to develop players.
Former Liverpool midfielder, Xabi Alonso, who led Bayer Leverkusen to their first Bundesliga title, and Sporting CP’s Ruben Amorim were also reported contenders to take over from Klopp.
Slot had already confirmed his interest in managing in the Premier League, both earlier this week and previously when he was linked to Tottenham in 2023.
QPR 4-0 Leeds United: Shock loss for Farke's men seals Leicester's promotion
QPR thrashed Leeds United 4-0 in the Championship on Friday, ensuring Leicester City booked their promotion straight back to the Premier League.
Ilias Chair was the star for the Hoops as he scored the opener and assisted two more goals to ensure QPR will stay in the Championship for another season.
Lucas Andersen, Lyndon Dykes and Sam Field also got their names on the scoresheet in an emphatic win for Marti Cifuentes' side.
Leeds' heaviest defeat of the season was a huge blow in the race for an automatic promotion spot, with Ipswich Town just one point behind them in third place with two games in hand going into their away clash against Hull City on Saturday.
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