Inter v Dnipro stat pack

294-minute European shutout at home
Inter are yet to concede at the Meazza in this year’s Europa League. The last opponents to put one past the Nerazzurri in a European fixture were Tottenham in 2012/13.

Handanovic set for black and blue ton?
If he plays this evening, Samir Handanovic will make his 100th appearance in a Nerazzurri goalie top. His debut came two years ago, on 2 August 2012, in Hadjuk Split 0-3 Inter. Since then the Slovene shotstopper has racked up 83 Serie A appearances, with four in the Coppa Italia and 12 in European competition.

Inter unbeaten in Milan in nine Europa League games
The Nerazzurri haven’t lost at home in their last nine Europa League matches, earning five wins and four draws. Their last defeat was a 0-2 reverse at the hands of Hadjuk Split on 9 August 2012. If Roberto Mancini’s men avoid defeat this evening, they will equal the club’s longest unbeaten home run on the continent. That was established between October 1990 and December 1993 (nine wins and a draw). The Nerazzurri’s longest overall record goes back to the eighties (September 1981 to September 1987), a 20-game unbeaten streak consisting of 15 wins and five draws.

Dnipro unbeaten in last three away trips
Should Dnipro take something home from Italy tonight, they will set a new record for consecutive unbeaten away matches by a Ukrainian side in Europe. Since succumbing 2-0 to Copenhagen on 6 August in Champions League qualifying, they have gone three games without losing on the road (W1, D2). On the other three occasions when a team from Ukraine has avoided defeat for three away games, they were unable to make it to four.

Scotsman Madden to officiate
Bobby Madden of Scotland, 36, an international referee since 2010, is the man appointed to take charge of Inter v Dnipro. His only previous meeting with an Italian side was Lazio 2-1 Apollon Limassol in the 2013/14 Europa League. This is his first time officiating a Ukrainian team.

Mancini vs Myron, round 1
Coaches Roberto Mancini and Myron Markevych are set to face off for the first time in opposite dugouts.

Advantage Inter
This is the second meeting between Inter and Dnipro following the first leg in Kiev on 18 September, when D’Ambrosio’s 71st-strike separated the sides.

Italians sides have upper hand
Tonight is Dnipro’s eighth meeting with an Italian team in a competitive match and Italians definitely do it better: five wins, a draw and one Ukrainian victory.

 

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