Mourinho craves Euro success

Inter Milan boss targeting morale-boosting victory in Kiev

Last updated: 3rd November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Mourinho craves Euro success

Mourinho: Wants Euro success

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Inter Milan boss Jose Mourinho is targeting a morale-boosting victory against Dynamo Kiev in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday night.

The Serie A champions head into the tie - which is being shown live on Sky Sports Xtra at 7.45pm - sitting bottom of Group F after consecutive draws against Barcelona, Rubin Kazan and Dynamo.

This series of draws means Mourinho's side are one point behind all three opponents heading into the final three group games.

But Inter's league form is significantly better, with Mourinho's side notching up their fifth win in a row on Sunday, and the Portuguese tactician wants his team to recreate this winning formula in Europe.

He said: "Our top position in the league is down to the fantastic work done by my players every day.

"The team needs to continue on this path and we will see if on Wednesday we can take an important result to give the team a morale boost in the Champions League."

But Sulley Muntari is doubtful for the clash after sustaining a muscular injury at the weekend, while Wesley Sneijder and Thiago Motta are still sidelined with thigh injuries.

But Mourinho is boosted by Mario Balotelli's return from suspension for the game.

Physical problems

Commenting on the situation, Mourinho said: "The team is OK but like any other side we have to consider the injured players. We have physical problems that slow down our work.

"I would like to have everyone available, but it's not possible.

"It's difficult for Muntari and Thiago Motta to recover for Wednesday's game."

It will not be easy for Inter in Kiev as Valeri Gazzaev's side are unbeaten at home since losing to FC Porto in the Champions League 12 months ago.

Dynamo striker Andriy Shevchenko has urged his team-mates to show the same fighting spirit they displayed in the 2-2 draw in Italy a fortnight ago.

"My team showed a lot of courage and unity in Milan," said Shevchenko. "We had chances to win that game and I missed a few.

"I hope I can score and that my team will show the same determination tomorrow."

Shevchenko, who played under Mourinho at Chelsea, also believes the battle in the group will go down to the wire.

Last game

He added: "I think everything will be decided in the last game. I think this is the most difficult and balanced group."

Meanwhile, Inter claim their debts should be no cause for concern despite comments to the contrary by UEFA president Michel Platini.

Platini was quoted as saying: "By putting in new rules we will protect the business of Roman Abramovich, Massimo Moratti (at Inter Milan) or Malcolm Glazer. I am sure they want to sell but who will buy clubs with so many debts? Who would be that stupid? "

But Inter have replied in a statement which says: "We understand his institutional concern for the economy in European football but in citing Inter in his reasoning, he forgets that our club has no debts with banks.

"Inter does not enter in the group of clubs, from this point of view that could worry the UEFA president."