Zanetti calls for defensive steel

After shipping a goal within the opening 60 seconds in last week's first leg against Villarreal CF, FC Internazionale Milano are determined not to repeat the mistake in the return at El Madrigal as they strive to book a place in the last four of the UEFA Champions League.

Shock start
The partisan Italian crowd were still in the midst of their pre-match anthem of "C'è solo l'Inter" (There's only one Inter) when Diego Forlán silenced them by handing the visitors a shock lead in the first attack of the game. "We were taken by surprise," Inter captain Javier Zanetti said. "We started very badly, making a huge positional mistake in defence and allowing them to take the lead. Then we showed great character with a terrific reaction."

'The drought is over'
That response saw Roberto Mancini's team level through Adriano six minutes later before substitute Obafemi Martins steered them to a narrow victory with a virtuoso second-half performance. Both strikers could have added more as the Serie A outfit took command but Adriano was content simply to end a barren personal spell. "I haven't been scoring lately and I was feeling a bit low but now the drought is over," said the Brazilian, who has scored 12 goals in 15 UEFA Champions League outings. "Now I want to score more."

'Difficult game'
Inter scored five on their last trip to eastern Spain, defeating Villarreal's local rivals Valencia CF 5-1 at the Mestalla in the group stage of last season's competition. That was only the Nerazzurri's third win in 14 games in Spain, however, and Zanetti is expecting a tough second-leg encounter. "We have to be prepared for a very difficult game," he said. "We have to impose ourselves and avoid becoming too preoccupied with defending our slight advantage."

Villarreal portents
They could prove wise words as the omens certainly favour UEFA Champions League debutants Villarreal. Manuel Pelligrini's team have not lost in five home matches in their maiden campaign, including qualifying, and possess an imperious record against Italian opposition in European competition. A 1-0 victory would also suffice against Inter, but the the Nerazzurri's Dejan Stanković is in determined mood, saying: "We have no excuse; we have to reach the semi-finals."