Wembley defeat spurs on Mancini

FC Internazionale Milano coach Roberto Mancini hopes to settle a score when he comes face to face with his PSV Eindhoven counterpart on Tuesday, describing the day Ronald Koeman scored the goal that won the 1992 European Champion Clubs' Cup as "the worst of my career".

'Worst moment'
Mancini captained the UC Sampdoria side that FC Barcelona overcame at Wembley thanks to Koeman's extra-time winner, and it is a night which lives long in the memory. "When I lost in that final, it was the worst moment of my career," said the former Italian international. "It took me four years to get over it. First, because it was the European Cup final, and second, because I was playing for unfancied Sampdoria – it was tough to take."

Slow starters
Another defeat at the hands of Koeman would also be hard to swallow, not least because Inter lost their opening Group G match 1-0 at Fenerbahçe SK. Deivid struck the only goal in Istanbul and Mancini is loath to repeat the mistakes of last season, when two group-stage reverses paved the way for a difficult draw, and eventual exit to Valencia CF, in the first knockout round.

Stiff competition
"It's a tougher group this year," said Mancini. "Last term [FC] Bayern München dominated the section but the other sides weren't as strong. This time everyone is good, even [PFC] CSKA Moskva, which makes this Matchday 2 more important than last year's." Inter can at least take heart from their 4-1 demolition of AS Roma on Saturday. Zlatan Ibrahimović scored his seventh Serie A goal of the campaign, which Simone Perrotta had cancelled out before Hernán Crespo, Julio Cruz and Iván Córdoba ended the contest.

PSV threat
For the visit of the Dutch champions, the Nerazzurri will be missing the injured Marco Materazzi and Patrick Vieira (both thigh) and the suspended Córdoba, Maicon and Nicolás Burdisso, while Ibrahimović (foot), Olivier Dacourt (groin) and Cristian Chivu (shoulder) are expected to recover. "PSV are a quicker side than Fenerbahçe," added Mancini. "They have forwards who are very fast, mobile and change positions a lot so we will need to be at our best."

Defensive reshuffle
PSV, though, will be aiming to improve on Saturday's 1-1 draw at NAC Breda. Kenneth Perez registered his fifth goal in all competitions this term to secure a point for Koeman's side, who must do without the suspended Mike Zonneveld and Dirk Marcellis for the club's first meeting with Inter. Defenders Manuel da Costa and Ibrahim Afellay are injured too, prompting an expected reshuffle which will take Edison Méndez into the midfield, Jason Culina to left-back and Alcides into central defence.

'Decent chance'
After his team prevailed 2-1 against CSKA on Matchday 1, Koeman reckons the pressure is on the hosts and Mancini, whom he hopes to foil again. "I'm not going to pretend we have an even chance of winning," he said. "But we have a decent chance. Inter have already lost their first game, whereas we won ours." Has Mancini's nemesis returned to haunt him?