St Etienne vs Inter Milan preview - Galtier searching for goals

St Etienne coach Christophe Galtier knows his team cannot afford another draw against Inter Milan on Thursday night if they are to progress from Europa League Group F.

The Ligue 1 club have played out three goalless stalemates so far and lie third in the standings, four points adrift of leaders Inter and a point back on Qarabag.

Galtier's men did well to shut out the Italians at the San Siro two weeks ago, but although the coach is quick to highlight St Etienne's defensive strengths, he knows goals are needed to carry them through to the knockout stages.

"It's obvious we need to win to qualify but a draw will not eliminate us either," he told French newspaper L'Equipe.

"However, the reality is that if there is another draw on Thursday night then we will face a 'semi-final' against Qarabag next time.

"If we could have the good fortune to win on Thursday it would be very good for our points tally and also for morale. It would show that we are not only capable of winning matches in the Europa League but also a match which seems against us as we face a more prestigious opponent.

"We have not scored any goals yet but we have not conceded either and we must continue to defend intelligently. In attacking terms we're getting better. We don't score a ton of goals but we have scored some in the league and now we just need to break our Europa League duck."

Breaking down Inter's back line will not be easy however, as they have not conceded either in their three group matches to date.

And with the added incentive of knowing a win would see them qualify for the next round, coach Walter Mazzarri wants his players to be fully committed to the cause in France.

He told Gazzetta: "We have respect for St Etienne. They are a quality team and very athletic.

"We are the leaders in the group but the French will be looking to take their chances to beat us. Whoever plays us they will give 120 per cent and I hope that my men will do the same.

"Tomorrow I have asked the lads to give everything. We are Inter and we are interested in one result only: a win."

St Etienne will be without Allan Saint-Maximin (back) and Benjamin Corgnet (thigh) while Jeremy Clement and Kevin Monnet-Paquet will undergo late fitness tests.