MILAN - Javier Zanetti answered questions from the press at today's UEFA news conference ahead of Wednesday's Champions League match against CSKA Moscow.

Reflecting on Sunday's draw with Juventus, the Inter captain said: "We had chances to kill off the game but we didn't do it. We have to improve this aspect because with a bit of bad luck you can always concede a goal like we did against the Bianconeri.

"The banner against Ibra wasn't nice to see, but I think the worst thing was the welcome we were given when our bus arrived at the stadium. We arrived late and there were hardly any public order officials there waiting for us. Anything could have happened. These things mustn't happen in an important competition like the Italian championship. Did all this affect the match? No. We were expecting this kind of welcome because we knew it was a really important game for both sets of fans. But we were up to the task and we showed all our strength once again."

Looking ahead to tomorrow's clash against the Russians, Zanetti added: "It will be an important game tomorrow. We will be very close to qualifying if we win tomorrow. They are a team who can create problems for us with their dangerous strikers, but we're playing at home and we have to impose our game.

"Which role will I play in tomorrow? I know I can be useful to the team. It all depends on what the coach will decide, but I'm prepared to play in defence and midfield. I have played a lot this season and I feel in very good shape. You know that the most important thing for me is to be useful to the team. I hope I can continue to be."

Il Capitano believes Inter can extend their 10-match unbeaten run despite losing Luis Figo to injury. "We're very sorry about what has happened," said Zanetti. "He's a very important man both on and off the pitch. We could have done without his injury but the team has to face up to this difficult situation. What do I think about Nedved's foul? It was a very hard challenge which has led to a serious injury. Something needs to be done to avoid bad challenges from behind. We have to move on now and get all our injured players back. In the meantime we have to face each match even more carefully than usual."

Asked to comment on (FIFA president) Blatter's remarks about there not being a single Italian player on the pitch in Turin, Zanetti replied: "I was there and I have an Italian passport. A lot of us at Inter have them. This is the reply we should give to Blatter."