Roberto Mancini will coach Inter for the first time since 2008 in tomorrow’s derby with Milan at the San Siro.
The 49-year-old, who won three successive Serie A titles with the club during his four years in charge, replaced Walter Mazzarri during the international break with the Nerazzurri having won just four of their 11 league games this season.
“I never thought of returning but I believe in this project,” Mancini told reporters this week.
“I don’t have a magical wand and only through hard work will we be able to return to win. I have been away for six years coaching abroad, in the Premier League and in Tur-key, so I will need a bit of time.
“Inter is a top club and I’m happy to return even though when you go back to a place where you have done a good job, you have everything to lose.”
The former Manchester City manager, who signed a contract until June 2017, added: “To start with Milan is not going to be easy.
“We have a quality team, that has room for improvement but we need to do so quickly.”
Inter are ninth in the standings, 12 points adrift of league leaders Juventus while Milan are one point above them and looking to halt a four-match winless run.
Juve go into today’s match at Lazio holding a three-point lead over Roma and riding a three-match winning streak in all competitions.
The champions thrashed Parma 7-0 last time out with Carlos Tevez, Fernando Llorente and Alvaro Morata all scoring twice to underline their credentials for a fourth consecutive scudetto.
The champions were boosted this week by captain Gianluigi Buffon and vice-captain Giorgio Chiellini signing new deals as they travel to Rome boasting the best attack and defence in the competition, with 25 goals scored and just four conceded.
Lazio have not beaten Juventus at the Stadio Olimpico since 2004 but the Skyblues know victory could take them into the Champions League places.
“They (Juventus players) are all quality players,” Lazio striker Filip Djordjevic said.
“They are the best in Italy and we are motivated to do well. It is a tough game, but we want to win because we are at home.”
Roma take on strugglers Atalanta in Bergamo this evening looking to keep up the pace with Juventus.
The Giallorossi beat Torino 3-0 last time out to bounce back from their second loss in Serie A – a 2-0 reverse at Napoli.
Napoli are third and hold the last Champions League qualifying spot heading into tomorrow’s home game against Cagliari.
The Southerners have won their last two league games and are four points adrift of Roma.
Fourth-place Sampdoria travel to relegation-threatened Cesena having to do without suspended captain Angelo Palombo.
Fiorentina suffered a blow ahead of their match at Verona when defender Manuel Pasqual was ruled out of action for a month with a right adductor injury.
The Viola captain got hurt during Italy’s 1-1 against Croatia in last weekend’s Euro 2016 qualifier.
Genoa are riding a six-match unbeaten run heading into their home match against Palermo on Monday.
The good run of form has lifted GianPiero Gasperini’s side to sixth place, level on 19 points with Lazio, who are fifth.
Sassuolo are unbeaten in their last five games as they travel further north to play Torino.
The Emilia-Romagna outfit has climbed into 13th place, level on 12 points with Torino.
Chievo will be hoping to build on their 2-1 triumph over Cesena last time out, a result that halted an eight-match winless run, when they take on Udinese at the Friuli stadium.
Bottom-side Parma have lost nine of their opening 11 games, including the humiliation at the hands of Juventus before the international break.
The Gialloblu, coached by Roberto Donadoni, square off against Empoli at the Tardini stadium looking for their third win of the campaign.
Fixtures
Serie A
Playing today
Atalanta vs Roma - 18.00
Lazio vs Juventus - 20.45
Tomorrow – 15.00
Cesena vs Sampdoria
Verona vs Fiorentina
Parma vs Empoli
Milan vs Inter - 20.45
Napoli vs Cagliari
Torino vs Sassuolo - 12.30
Udinese vs Chievo
Monday
Genoa vs Palermo - 20.45
Standings: Juventus 28; Roma 25; Napoli 21; Sampdoria 20; Lazio, Genoa 19; Milan, Udinese 17; Inter 16; Verona 14; Fiorentina, Palermo 13; Sassuolo, Torino 12; Cagliari, Empoli, Atalanta 10; Chievo 8; Cesena 7; Parma 6.
Serie B
Played yesterday
Frosinone vs Livorno - 5-1
Today – 15.00
Avellino vs Varese
Bari vs Trapani
Brescia vs Carpi
Modena vs Pescara
Perugia vs Ternana
Pro Vercelli vs Entella
Spezia vs Bologna
Vicenza vs Cittadella
Lanciano vs Crotone
Tomorrow
Catania vs Latina - 18.00
Leading standings: Carpi, Frosinone 28; Livorno, Spezia 24; Avellino 23; Lanciano, Bologna, Trapani 22; Perugia 21.