SAINT-ÉTIENNE – Walter Mazzarri shared his views after tonight’s Europa League match in France: “I’m proud of the performance – we played some great football in the first half. We should’ve and could’ve been out of sight.

“After the break, we let in the goal and suffered a bit, but we played as a team and earned a valuable point to put us on the brink of qualification. It’s a shame they got the equaliser. Had we been a fraction more alert we could be taking home all three points. Having said that, the lads did very well and I’m delighted with the reaction I saw out there today,” declared Mazzarri.

There was a special mention for Federico Bonazzoli, who made his Europa League debut this evening: “It’s clear that he’s got a big future ahead of him, provided he continues to put the effort in and go about his business in a professional manner. He played excellently and that was a big part of our first-half performance. He helped the team today and deserves a big pat on the back. Palazzi had a good debut too, I’m happy for him.”

It may have been just a few minutes after the final whistle, but Mazzarri was already focused on the weekend’s clash at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza: “Will we need the fans against Verona on Sunday? We want to play well and we hope that the supporters get behind us, because this group deserves that.” 

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SAINT-ETIENNE – Mateo Kovacic admitted that Inter probably deserved a point tonight while calling on the team to do even better.

Analysing the Nerazzurri’s Europa League match with Saint-Étienne after the final whistle, the Croat mused: “We had the upper hand in the first period, while they were better after the restart so overall a draw is about right.

“It was a tough game because Saint-Étienne are a very strong, physical side, but we need to do better than that because we’re capable of performing better.

“We faded a bit in the second half but then we’ve come through a tough period with lots of injury problems, the same players playing nearly every game.”

On the injection of youth into the Inter side, Kovacic confirmed: “Bonazzoli and Palazzi both played really well.”

 

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SAINT-ETIENNE – Juan Jesus gave a pitchside interview to SportMediaset just moments after the final whistle at the Stade Geoffroy Guichard.

Commenting on the 1-1 draw, the 23-year-old said: “We knew it was a tall order coming here and taking on Saint-Étienne in their own back yard, with all their fans behind them. We put everything into it and ran our socks off so we’re disappointed with the result. We played with real hunger. We have to take to the pitch with grit and determination, that’s what we need at the moment. We must stick by the gaffer through it all.”

The Brazilian defender then had a few words for the youngsters breaking into the first team: “Bonazzoli was superb in the first half and Palazzi played well too. We need to show faith in these kids.”

 

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SAINT-ÉTIENNE – Qualification edges ever closer. A draw will be enough against Dnipro to ensure the Nerazzurri’s safe passage to the knock-out rounds of this season’s Europa League. Inter started tonight’s match at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard with impressive intensity, showing a real desire to get their opponents on the back foot.

It took just two minutes for the Nerazzurri to carve out their first chance, with Mbaye getting a good shot away after Kovacic’s cross. Three minutes later, Inter were again on the attack through the debutant Bonazzoli. Fresh from a call-up to the Italy U21 side, the young forward made a clever run down the flank before delivering a left-footed cross for Kuzmanovic. The Serb, though, was unable to work the goalkeeper.

The Nerazzurri were certainly in the driving seat, keeping the pressure up on Saint-Étienne and moving the ball around at pace. On nine minutes, Kuzmanovic turned provider to play in Palacio. The Argentine’s shot was deflected by Sall and gathered by Ruffier, but Inter were awarded an indirect free-kick in the penalty area for a back-pass. The ball was slid to Dodo, but his powerful effort was stopped on the line.

Saint-Étienne could barely get out of their own half, and the Nerazzurri pushed on with the bit between their teeth. Kuzmanovic brought another save out of Ruffier with a long-range effort, but it wouldn’t be long until the French defence was finally breached.

Mbaye whipped in a cross for Palacio, whose towering header was swatted away by Ruffier. The rebound, however, fell straight to Dodo, and the Brazilian did superbly to pick his spot and fire the ball home. There was no reaction from Saint-Étienne, and the Nerazzurri went in with their tails up and their noses in front.

There was a noticeable step up from the hosts after the break, and it took them just five minutes to equalise. From Hamouma’s corner, Sall capitalised on uncertainty in the penalty area to smash the ball past Carrizo.

Saint-Étienne were knocking on the door, but Inter stood firm to contain them. Bonazzoli, Kovacic and Kuzmanovic made way for Obi, Osvaldo and Palazzi. The match became a tactical and at times bad-tempered affair, with Tabanou picking up a booking for an ugly foul on Mbaye.

On 75 minutes, Gradel tried a long-range effort, but Carrizo was on his toes to save. It was a tactic that the French outfit tried on numerous occasions, but always without success. The 85th minute saw Carrizo pull off a great save to deny Van Wolfswinkel, doing excellently to stay on his feet and make the block.

There were to be no more goals and the game finished one apiece. It was a hard-earned point for the Nerazzurri, and one that gives them a golden opportunity to seal qualification to the knock-out stages when Dnipro come to the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza at the end of the month.

Saint-Etienne 1-1 Inter (HT: 0-1)
Scorers: Dodo (33), Bayal Sall (50).

Saint-Etienne: 16 Ruffier; 24 Perrin, 26 Bayal Sall, 19 Pogba; 2 Theophile-Catherine, 18 Lemoine, 6 Clement, 27 Tabanou; 21 Hamouma (Van Wolfswinkel 68), 9 Erdinc (Diomande 56), 7 Gradel.
Subs not used: 30 Moulin, 11 Mollo, 20 Brison, 22 Monnet-Paquet, 23 Baysse.
Coach: Christophe Galtier.

Inter: 30 Carrizo; 6 Andreolli, 15 Vidic, 5 Juan Jesus; 25 Mbaye, 17 Kuzmanovic (Palazzi 83), 18 Medel, 10 Kovacic (Osvaldo 74), 22 Dodo; 8 Palacio, 97 Bonazzoli (Obi 66).
Subs not used: 1 Handanovic, 9 Icardi, 23 Ranocchia, 54 Donkor.
Coach: Walter Mazzarri.

Referee: Slavko Vincic (Slovenia).
Booked: Tabanou, 53.
Added time: 0+3 minutes.

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