Pioli: "We're up for the fight"

APPIANO GENTILE - Inter are ready and raring to put up a fight against Juventus on Sunday, insists Stefano Pioli.

Speaking to journalists ahead of the match, the coach said his side understand the significance of the fixture and the quality of the opposition but are confident they can match up to their rivals.

"It's a game worth three points like any other but we also know how much it means beyond that. It's a huge game and we've prepared well for it. We'll need to show a lot of fight.

"We're even more determined than we were before we lost to Lazio. We must be strong and get it right from the start. Matches last 95 minutes but I think the opening period could prove important on Sunday.

'We'll go out there to win. We must stay compact and be very careful about every last detail. We can't afford to offer them space because they have quality players. If we get our balance and positioning right we'll be able to stand up to them.

"We must be efficient and play as a team. We have our way of playing, which involves everyone pitching in and playing with intensity and at a high tempo. Tuesday was a good lesson for us because now we're even more aware of what we need to do on the pitch.

'Juventus are a great team but if anyone can cause problems for them it's us. We'll try to outdo them. Inter played with great intensity in the reverse fixture and that's what we must do again on Sunday, although every match is different.

'A win would be great for our confidence and belief. Every time we drop points it makes it harder for us to achieve our objective but whatever happens on Sunday it won't decide anything for either side."

After Argentina coach Edgardo Bauza dropped into the Suning Training Centre on Friday morning, Pioli added: ""We were all happy to have Bauza here and Mauro was too but I don't know what they said to each other."

When it was put to Pioli that he has never beaten Juventus before, he replied: "But I've never been in charge of Inter before! They're excellent and we'll have to be just as good if we're to match then and stand a chance of beating them. There's no point focusing on just one player - they have a wealth of talent at their disposal.

"It's an opportunity for all of us to send out a message. We'll try to be up to the task but we're confident in our ability regardless of who plays.'