Retired Inter defender Javier Zanetti has warned his former team-mates against underestimating Icelandic opponents Stjarnan in the Europa League play-off round.

The Serie A team were pitted against the minnows from Gardabaer during yesterday’s draw in Nyon, with entry to the Europa League group stages on offer to the aggregate winner over two legs.

Zanetti, who was representing the club in an official capacity in Switzerland having called time on his 19-year Inter career in June, knows Inter need to be suitably wary if they are to progress.

“We’re taking this competition really seriously and we hope to get right to the very end,” he said.

“Our opponents are ahead of us in their preparation because they have already played three games.

“We must prepare for the match in the best way. This is the first step but it’s the one that will allow us to set off on our path through Europe.”

Meanwhile, coach Giampiero Ventura believes Torino have been rather unlucky to draw RNK Split.

Ventura feels Split, who are already well into their domestic season and flying, have a clear advantage.

He said: “We haven’t been very lucky, because we have to go up against a team that’s a lot further on than we are.

“They’ve already played nine competitive games, six Europa League qualifiers and three league games, and they haven’t lost any of them.”