Inter Milan vs Cesena preview - Zanetti eyeing third

Inter Milan defender Javier Zanetti is confident his side can overhaul Lazio to finish third in Serie A and secure a place in next season's Champions League.

Inter have risen to fifth in the league and closed to within three points of Lazio and two of fourth-placed Napoli, with four league fixtures remaining.

Andrea Stramaccioni's side have a golden opportunity to keep the pressure on when they take on Cesena, whose relegation from Serie A was confirmed following their defeat to Juventus in midweek.

"We work for third place, we want to reach the Champions League," defender Zanetti said.

"There are four games remaining and we will try until the end. We believe."

With title rivals Juventus and AC Milan now way ahead of the pack, Inter have mounted a renewed challenge for the final Champions League place and they head into the Cesena game in fine fettle.

Stramaccioni has delivered three wins and two draws in the five league matches since he replaced Claudio Ranieri in charge at Inter.

Wesley Sneijder scored twice in midweek as they came from behind to beat Udinese 3-1 and close the gap on Lazio, who were beaten by struggling Novara and have now gone three games without a win.

"We are working well with him (Stramaccioni). He has brought enthusiasm, he has clear ideas," Zanetti told the Inter official website.

"We are thinking about getting into the Champions League and to make a great team for next year."

Cesena coach Mario Beretta has named a 22-man squad for the trip to Milan, but is without Vangelis Moras, Vincenzo Rennella, Giuseppe Colucci and Simone del Nero.