San Siro: Home of Inter Milan(credit:
Wikipedia)
Inter Milan coach Leonardo believes tonight’s clash with Cesena at the San Siro is a must-win game if they want to successfully defend their Serie A crown.
Inter are currently sixth in the table, nine points behind current leaders AC Milan, having gone unbeaten since Leonardo replaced Rafael Benitez last month.
The Nerazzurri have two games in hand over their city rivals, starting with the visit of Cesena, and Leonardo believes these games are vital in the race for the Scudetto, knowing that wins in each game would move his side within three points of his former employers.
The Brazilian said: “The first few minutes against Cesena are decisive because they set the pattern for the match.
“The way you approach a game is important and against Bologna it was virtually perfect. We'll try to do the same again against Cesena.
“It's a game in hand that could turn out to be crucial. And anyway, we have to concentrate on no-one else but ourselves.
“It's a situation we need to take advantage of, because of course we're the only ones playing.”
Inter hammered Bologna 4-1 in their most recent Serie A outing while visitors Cesena, currently out of the relegation zone on goal difference, were beaten 1-0 by high-flying Roma.
Watch Inter Milan v Cesena live at bet365, kicking off at 19.45 GMT.