Inter close in on first place

By Ivan Carvalho in Milan

FC Internazionale Milano head into their final Group G fixture against RSC Anderlecht knowing three points will guarantee them a first-placed finish whatever the result between Werder Bremen and Valencia CF.

Draw experts
Inter, who have already qualified, are currently one point ahead of Bremen after having opened their campaign in the autumn with three impressive wins. The Italian club prepared for this match by routing FC Messina Peloro 5-0 at home on Saturday as prolific striker Adriano scored a first-half hat-trick to give Inter only their third win in Serie A this season to go with their eleven draws.

Unbeaten
Although the Nerazzurri remain unbeaten in 20 domestic and European matches and are averaging more than two goals a game, coach Roberto Mancini has felt some pressure from critics who say Inter should be replicating their fine European form in Serie A, where erratic defending has meant Inter relinquished winning positions in several matches earlier this season. In his pre-match comments Mancini noted that even though qualification was already secured, there would be no complacency against winless Anderlecht.

Changes expected
"We care about finishing first in the group even if, watching how things are going in the other groups, perhaps it might be better to finish second. You always have to go out and play to win." Some changes are expected as Mancini may rest key players but the coach said: "Whoever goes out there will put on an excellent performance."

Adriano suspended
Inter will be without Adriano, who is serving a two-match suspension after being sent off for violent conduct in the dying moments of the game against Valencia on Matchday 4. Nigerian forward Obafemi Martins will start in the Brazilian's place with Italian international Christian Vieri likely to be rested along with Juan Sebastián Verón, who did not feature in the Messina match. Midfielders Kily González and Emre Belözoglu and goalkeeper Alberto Fontana all remain sidelined.

Pride at stake
The visitors from Brussels, meanwhile, are looking to avoid becoming the first Belgian side to finish a Champions League group stage without a point. Coach Hugo Broos said: "It is a very important game even if we are already eliminated. Our pride is at stake since we don't want to finish without any points. Our players will go out and give 100 per cent for the team." That said, Broos is hoping to rest several players ahead of next weekend's key league match against Club Brugge KV.

Defensive problems
Anderlecht - who were 1-0 winners at KFC Germinal Beerschot Antwerpen at the weekend - will need to improve in defence to stand a chance at the San Siro: they have conceded 14 goals in five defeats, the worst record in the competiton. Their prospects are not helped by a recent string of injuries which means Broos has brought only 17 players to Milan for the game. Czech goalkeeper Daniel Zitka, who broke his left arm in a training session on Sunday, has been ruled out along with Belgian Glen De Boeck, who will miss the rest of the season with torn knee ligaments.

Keeper question
Zitka had just regained a starting place in the Anderlecht side ahead of Tristan Peersman who is himself now considered doubtful having still not fully recovered from an achilles problem. Should he miss out, the third-choice goalkeeper, Jan Van Steenberghe, will make his first Champions League appearance of the season.