Inter and Porto keen to forget extra preparation

Inter and Porto have had an extra week to prepare for today's Champions League knockout round second leg but neither has used it well.

The first game ended 1-1 in Portugal and the return was held over as Inter's city neighbours Milan, who share the San Siro stadium, were also drawn at home for their second-leg match.

The additional preparation has hardly helped Champions League holders Porto, whose coach Jose Couceiro must get his players over a 4-0 defeat by Nacional Madeira, their worst home loss for 30 years.

Inter battled to a 1-1 draw at Lazio on Sunday but were unimpressive, only getting back into the game after the Rome side were reduced to 10 men.

"We will definitely have to play better than at Lazio," said Inter coach Roberto Mancini.

"It will have to be a different Inter for what is a vitally important game for us."

Inter's entire season hangs on today's match. They are out of the Serie A title race but have reserved their best performances for Europe.

"They are different matches in the Champions League and this is like a final," Inter midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron said.

"We can't have a repeat our performance at Lazio though - it would be suicide if we allow Porto to run the match," the Argentine added.

Form is not the only worry for Mancini, with Colombian defender Ivan Cordoba and left back Giuseppe Favalli suspended.

Mancini is hoping Marco Materazzi recovers from a nasty cut received on Saturday to line up alongside Sinisa Mihajlovic in the centre of defence.

The Inter coach also has worries in attack where Obafemi Martins and Italy international Christian Vieri are struggling for fitness and Alvaro Recoba is sidelined.

Friday's defeat knocked Porto off the top of the Portuguese standings and they now lag three points behind Benfica.

"We have to lift our heads and fight to get past this moment. Facing Inter I hope that Porto is able to react and get a good result," said Couceiro, Porto's third coach this season.

Couceiro can turn to charismatic captain Jorge Costa and Brazilian playmaker Diego, who both missed the first match through suspension.

Brazilian striker Luis Fabiano, whose mother was kidnapped on Friday in her home town of Campinas, has not been included in the travelling squad.

Statistics

¤ Inter have not conceded a goal at home in the Champions League this season and have lost just twice in 18 home games in the competition.

¤ Inter have won six and drawn one of their seven home matches against Portuguese opponents.

¤ Porto have lost only two of their last 12 European away games, winning four of them and drawing six. They have won on two of their last four visits to Italy.

¤ Porto, UEFA Cup winners in 2003 and European champions last year, risk being eliminated for the first time in three seasons. They had a dismal Champions League second group phase in 2001-02, losing four games out of six.

Already through to quarter-finals: Bayern Munich (Germany); Liverpool (England); PSV (Holland); Juventus (Italy); Chelsea (England); Milan (Italy); Lyon (France).

Today on TV (8.45 p.m.): Channel 22 - Inter vs Porto.