Tuscan upstarts threaten Inter

AS Livorno Calcio are hoping to put a dent in FC Internazionale Milano's Serie A ambitions, and maintain their own fine start, as they meet at the Giuseppe Meazza tonight.

Super start
The Nerazzurri go into the game level on points with US Città di Palermo at the top of Serie A, but Livorno are just three points behind after losing one of their opening seven league games. The Tuscan club are also enjoying a first UEFA Cup campaign, eliminating FCS Pasching in the first round before losing their Group A opener 3-2 at home to Rangers FC.

Solid defence
Lithuanian striker Tomas Danilevicius has been their attacking star so far, scoring three of Livorno's six Serie A goals as the attacking foil for captain Cristiano Lucarelli, who has found the net once in the league and three times in the UEFA Cup despite missing three games with a calf injury. Yet Livorno's rise has been founded on their defensive solidity - conceding just four goals so far, the joint-best record in the top flight.

'Fantastic experience'
Former Inter player Fabio Galante has been superb in the heart of the Amaranto back line, and has no regrets at leaving San Siro in 1999 after three successful seasons which included lifting the UEFA Cup in 1998. The 32-year-old said: "I'm really happy at Livorno. We are playing in Europe which is a fantastic experience for us, but our goal remains avoiding relegation as soon as possible."

Arrigoni prepared
Coach Danielle Arrigoni knows his defence "will have to fight hard tonight" as Inter "have a squad packed with real champions". He added: "I don't know which attackers they will field but we will have to be on our toes for the whole 90 minutes regardless of who their forwards are because they are all great and ready to punish any mistake."