Inter Milan defender Matteo Darmian insists they will need the “right attitude” to beat Real Sociedad and finish first in Group D of the Champions League.
Inter have already qualified for the last 16 of the tournament and came back from three goals down to draw 3-3 with Benfica last time out.
The comeback enabled them to keep their undefeated streak going in the competition this season but they will need victory to ensure they top the group.
Tuesday’s opponents have also qualified but need to avoid defeat at San Siro to ensure they go through as group winners.
Former Manchester United defender Darmian knows the hosts face a challenge.
He told a press conference: “Tomorrow, we’ll go out there, as we have always have done since the start of the season, and try to win, but we know it won’t be easy.
“We want to win and we’ll need the right attitude and desire to do so.
“We already knew before the start of the group how difficult it was to play against Real Sociedad. They are a strong, organised team with great pace and quality.
“They’ve shown this throughout the group stages and deservedly qualified, too. We want to win so we can finish top of the group.”
Inter reached the Champions League final last season before losing the final against Manchester City 1-0.
Darmian insists they are learning from what went wrong last season in a bid to go one step further.
He continued: “As I said before, we have tried to learn from last year’s mistakes and have been working in the best possible way since day one.
“We have a great squad; we have so far shown that, but the season is still long and we must keep pushing on as we are.
“I don’t think much has changed, we always try to play the best we can and with the right determination to take home the win.
“Last year, we couldn’t get a consistent run together but this year we’re trying not to repeat the mistakes of last season.”
The 34-year-old is one of the experienced members in the squad and has played his part in helping the club keep an impressive 12 clean sheets in all competitions so far this season.
Asked whether this period is the best moment of his career, Darmian said: “I don’t think there is a secret; I don’t know if this is the best moment of my career.
“I’m certainly pleased to receive this trust from everyone; it’s something that pushes me every day to give more and more.
“When the coach selects me to play, I always try to give my best and help the team achieve its goals.
“This is a healthy and strong squad; we feel good around each other and we also transmit that out onto the pitch. We are on the right path and we must keep carrying on as we are.”
Defending champs Clarendon College secure 2-1 win over Denbigh High to kick off DaCosta Cup
Defending champions Clarendon College opened their ISSA DaCosta Cup campaign with a tense 2-1 win over Denbigh High at the Catherine Hall Stadium in Montego Bay, Jamaica on Saturday.
Clarendon College took an early lead in the fourth minute when Justin Hayles latched on to a through ball to finish across Denbigh goalkeeper Kevin Pryce into the bottom corner.
They went two ahead when Terron Williams scored directly from a corner kick in the 22nd minute.
Denbigh were the more attacking team to start the second 45 minutes and were handed a lifeline when Tayo Cross converted a late spot kick won by substitute Rahjaun Cassanova.
In the end, however, Clarendon College held their nerve to ensure that they got the three points to kick off the defense of their title.
Clarendon College will next take on Lennon High on September 14 while Denbigh will face Claude McKay a day earlier.
Mona High begins defense of Manning Cup title with 7-0 win over Waterford
Mona High School started the defense of their first ever ISSA Manning Cup title with a dominant 7-0 thrashing of opponents Waterford High at Catherine Hall Stadium in Montego Bay, St. James on Saturday.
Man of the match Carlton Brown scored a pair of goals in the 17th and 37th minutes, the first being a brilliant right-footed strike from long range that evaded Waterford goalkeeper Jaheim Daley.
In between those two strikes, Savi-K Morton made it 2-0 in the 31st minute through a well-placed left-footed shot from just inside the 18-yard box.
Captain Robino Gordon made it 4-0 ten minutes later with a close-range finish, a score that would hold until the end of the first half.
Just a minute into the second 45 minutes, Alex Suazo made it 5-0 with the second long-range strike of the day.
The scoring was completed by Kshaine Gordon (67’) and Denzel McKenzie (70’).
“It’s really important to get off to a good start and we have more to come,” Brown said in a post-match interview.
Mona assistant coach Kyle Butler believes his team could have done even better but was happy with the win nonetheless.
“Definitely a statement win. The foundation is there but we’re still in second gear. We still have a lot that we can improve on. We could have won 10-0 easily but as I said the foundation is there and we want to build on that,” he said.
Waterford High coach Kevin Reid expressed disappointment at his team’s performance.
“It’s a disappointing start for us. Experience got the better of us today. Nevertheless, I believe they learned something to day and I believe the best team won. We just have to get back in training and put in some more work and, hopefully, we will have a better second game,” he said.
Mona will next take on Jonathan Grant on September 12 while Waterford will tackle Charlie Smith on the same day.
United States 1-2 Canada: David helps continue Marsch's impressive run
Canada continued their impressive run under Jesse Marsch after their Copa America exploits, beating the United States 2-1 in a friendly at Children's Mercy Park.
Goals in either half from Jacob Shaffelburg and Jonathan David handed Canada the advantage, with Luca de la Torre's goal proving a mere consolation in another dominant display from the visitors.
A frenetic start to proceedings was rewarded in the 17th minute as Johnny Cardoso's loose touch allowed David to tee up Shaffelburg to finish beyond Patrick Schulte.
Canada restricted their opponents to just one shot in the first-half but were unable to build their lead despite registering 11 shots, five of which were on target.
But they got the goal their performance merited after the break, again pouncing on a mistake by Michael Varas's side, with David finishing into the roof of the net.
De la Torre responded with a composed finish after neat play from substitute Aidan Morris, but Canada were able to see out the result with relative ease on enemy turf.
Data Debrief: David dazzles in Kansas
Having already scored three goals in seven appearances for Lille this season, David transferred that goal-scoring touch to the international stage.
The 24-year-old impressed against the USA, recording more shots (four) and shots on target (three), while also registering an expected goals (xG) tally of 1.12 to Canada's 1.95 total.
Canada's triumph was their first win against the USMNT on American soil since 1957, ending the US' 23-game unbeaten home run against them, the longest against any opponent in team history.
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