Stakes high for Mancini and Inter

Champions League/Inter Milan v Villarreal. San Siro, 7.45. On TV: Sky Sports 2: Inter Milan are facing familiar pressure ahead of tonight's Champions League quarter-final, first leg, match against Spain's Villarreal.

Saturday's league defeat to Parma left Inter in third place, trailing Serie A leaders Juventus by 13 points and second-placed Milan by five. Roberto Mancini knows failure in Europe would leave him with little to show for his efforts at the San Siro this season and intensify speculation about his future.

But the coach, who despite the result said he was pleased with Inter's performance, is determined not to let Saturday's setback turn into the kind of crisis the club have frequently had to deal with in the 16 years since their last Serie A title.

"The team are finding it hard work to score but that is a problem that we have had since the first day of the season. We are in good shape and playing well so I don't have any big worries," added Mancini.

Striker Adriano has been a major factor in Inter's lack of sharpness in front of goal and Mancini may be tempted to look at an alternative in the form of Argentine Julio Ricardo Cruz while Nigerian Obafemi Martins will compete with Uruguayan forward Alvaro Recoba for a place in the starting line-up.

Inter will almost certainly be without Portuguese winger Luis Figo whose muscle strain looks likely to rule him out. Without Figo, captain Javier Zanetti will probably push forward into midfield.

Villarreal have been boosted by the return to fitness of Juan Pablo Sorin who scored in the 2-1 defeat by Betis at the weekend.

However, defender Rodolfo Arruabarrenna, and midfielders Josico and Alessio Tacchinardi are suspended. Defender Josemi is cup-tied having played for Liverpool earlier in the competition.

PROBABLE TEAMS

INTER MILAN: Toldo; Cordoba, Samuel, Materazzi, Cesar; Zanetti, Cambiasso, Veron, Stankovic; Recoba, Adriano, (or Cruz).

VILLAREAL: Viera; Venta, Rodriguez, Alvarez, Pena; Sorin, Riquelme, Senna, Font (or Cazorla); Forlan, Franco (or Mari).

Referee: Alain Sars (France)