Inter Milan vs Hellas Verona preview - Mazzarri: Thanks for the support

Walter Mazzarri thanked Inter Milan's fans for backing his side throughout a tough Europa League meeting with St Etienne and implored them to pack out San Siro on Sunday evening.

A loyal band of Nerazzurri supporters travelled to eastern central France to watch their team play out a 1-1 draw that left Inter on the verge of qualifying for the knockout stages.

Head coach Mazzarri admitted he was frustrated to lose two points - Bayal Sall cancelled out Dodo's first-half opener - but was enthused by his players' response to a disappointing 2-0 Serie A defeat to Parma.

Speaking before the visit of Hellas Verona to Milan, he told inter.it: "Had we been a fraction more alert we could have taken all three points home.

"Having said that, the lads did very well and I'm delighted with the reaction I saw out there.

"Will we need our fans behind us against Verona on Sunday? We want to play well and so we hope that the supporters get behind us, because the team deserves it."

Goalscorer Dodo, who tucked home Rodrigo Palacio's rebounding effort, added: "I'm happy with the goal. We wanted to win, but it's an important point nevertheless.

"Now we have to turn our focus back to the league. As long as my body permits me I'll be at the disposal of the coach and ready to play."

Mazzarri is without a clutch of first-team players, including Hugo Campagnaro, Jonathan, Yann M'Vila, Yuto Nagatomo, Fredy Guarin and Hernanes.

Verona are in 11th place and sit just two points behind Inter but will miss the services of suspended midfielder Panagiotis Tachtsidis and injured defenders Jacopo Sala and Frederik Sorensen.

Hellas drew 1-1 at Cesena last time out and are pursuing a first victory in five outings and head coach Andrea Mandorlini has backed veteran striker Luca Toni, now 37, to do the business against Inter.

"I rested Toni because he's no longer a young man but he doesn't complain because he features in 99 per cent of our games," the Verona boss told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"He will return at San Siro and I hope he gets straight back on the goal trail."