NYON – Celtic came out of the pot for Inter in Nyon. Here’s what managing director Marco Fassone had to say following the draw: “We need to try and win this competition for the prestige and for the chance to qualify for the Champions League. There are five rounds between here and Warsaw. We’ll try to win it. It will be a tricky match against Celtic but, either way, they were all difficult opponents. We feel under pressure due to our league position because it’s not what we were expecting. Things have been clear with Mancini from the outset and he has bought in fully to our project.” The managing director continued: “I think we have to months to work with and we hope to climb the table in that time. Mancini is keeping a very close eye on the youngsters in the Primavera. He personally watches their training sessions and follows everything very carefully. The Celtic tie has the feel of a Champions League match, due to the two sides’ history. There will be an incredible atmosphere but we’re ready to face that. Playing the second leg at home is a minor advantage. It will be one of the most exciting ties of the round.”
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NYON – Roberto Mancini’s Inter will face Celtic in the last-32 of the UEFA Europa League. The ties will be played on 19 and 26 February. The Glasgow club – just like Inter – have never been relegated in the club’s history and got through to this stage of the competition by finishing second in Group D with 8 points from 6 matches (two wins, two draws and two defeats), finishing behind Salzburg. Ronny Deila’s side are dominating the SPL (12 wins, two draws and two losses) and hold a commanding six-point lead over Inverness. The teams have met three times in the past: 25/05/67: Celtic 2-1 INTER (Mazzola pen 6, Gemmell 62, Chalmers 83).
05/04/72: INTER 0-0 Celtic.
19/04/72: Celtic 0-0 INTER (The Nerazzurri win 5-4 on penalties).
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MILAN

Gialloblu and Nerazzurri goals off the bench
Chievo and Inter are two of the four sides in Serie A to have the highest number of goals scored by substitutes. Players have found the net off the bench on four occasions, the same number as Genoa and Hellas Verona. Chievo’s four strikes from substitutes have come via Pellissier (2), Meggiorini and Paloschi (1 each). Guarin (2), Hernanes and Osvaldo (1 apiece) meanwhile are Inter’s game changers. December delight for both coaches
The 12th month of the year is statistically Maran’s and Mancini’s most successful period over the course of their respective careers. The Chievo boss averages 1.69 points-per-game (18 wins, 17 draws and seven defeats from 42 professional league matches), while the Nerazzurri coach’s total stands at 2.33 points-per-game (22 victories, four draws and four losses in 30 games in charge of Italian sides). Chievo unbeaten in five
The hosts haven’t lost in their last five games, winning two and drawing three in that time. Their last defeat came at Palermo (0-1) on 29 October. No pens, no reds
The Gialloblu haven’t been awarded any penalties nor red cards this term. Chievo are joined by Udinese in the former category and by Empoli and Atalanta in the latter. First meeting
Rolando Maran and Roberto Mancini face each other for the first time tonight Maran has never beaten Inter
Maran faces Inter for the fifth time tonight and the current Gialloblu coach has never beaten the Nerazzurri. He has just one draw and three defeats from his four previous attempts. Mancini leads
Mancini will take on Chievo for the 12th time this evening. The Nerazzurri coach has had the better of things against the Venetian side in the past, recording five wins, four draws and two losses.
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