Inter Milan vs Cagliari preview - Inter spurred by Euro carrot

Inter Milan square off against Cagliari on Sunday afternoon inspired by their recent resurgence.

The Nerazzurri beat Sassuolo 1-0 earlier this month to record their first win in 2014 and they followed that up with a 2-1 triumph at Fiorentina last Saturday.

"We had a difficult spell but our recent results, especially our win at Fiorentina was important," Inter midfielder Zdravko Kuzmanovic said. "But we must continue on this path."

Inter are fifth in the standings and are holding the last European qualifying spot.

However, with the Nerazzurri just three points clear of chasing pack Parma, Hellas Verona and Torino, Kuzmanovic knows his team cannot afford any slips.

"There are still many games left to play and we have to remain in the top five positions in the standings in order to have a chance to play in Europe next season," he said. "We have to take it one game at a time.

"Right now our focus in on getting a win against Cagliari, which will be no easy task."

Argentinian striker Rodrigo Palacio, who scored his first goal since December 22 against Fiorentina, will lead Inter's attack alongside Diego Milito.

Rivals Cagliari travel to the San Siro in desperate need of points.

Sunday's 2-1 defeat against Livorno was their fifth loss in their last six league games and dropped the Sardinian outfit to 15th place, five points clear of the relegation zone.

Cagliari have yet to win on the road this season and have mustered five points of a possible 33 away from home.

The visitors will have to overcome the absence of captain Daniele Conti, who serves his first of a two-match ban this weekend.

To complicate matters for under-fire coach Diego Lopez, Cagliari defender Davide Astori is out with a groin injury.