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Nerazzurri with 384-minute clean sheet in Europe
Inter have not conceded a goal in European competition for 384 minutes. The last goal let in came by way of Adebayor in the 96th minute (during extra time) of Inter 4-1 Tottenham in the Europa League on 14 March 2013. We can then include the remaining 24 minutes of that match, plus the four following clashes of the 2014/15 Europa League (two in the playoffs and two in the group stage).
Inter averaging 3.24 home goals in last seven games
The goals have been flowing when the Nerazzurri play at the San Siro. In their last seven competitive matches there they have notched 24 goals, for an average of 3.24 per game.
Nerazzurri firepower from the bench
Seven of Inter’s 25 goals scored this season, in all of the competitive matches Mazzarri’s men have taken part in so far, have come courtesy of substitutes. It’s a clear sign of a squad that’s complete in every department and players that are ready when called upon. The goal scorers that have come off the bench have been Icardi and Guarin with two each, and D’Ambrosio, Hernanes and Osvaldo with one each.
Saint-Étienne: 287 scoreless minutes in cup competitions
Les Verts are in the middle of a dry spell in European competition that has now run to 287 minutes. The last goal came from Monnet-Paquet on 13 minutes of Saint-Étienne 1-0 Karabukspor, which went to extra time before ending on penalties. Since then we include the remaining 107 minutes of that clash, along with the two group matches that both ended 0-0.
Englishman Taylor to officiate
Anthony Taylor, a 36-year-old Englishman and international referee since 2013, will be in charge of his fifth European match, with the results so far being three home wins and one draw. It will be Taylor’s first time refereeing either an Italian or French club.
First-time coaching clash
This will be the first ever meeting in a competitive game between coaches Walter Mazzarri and Christophe Galtier.
First-time clash
This evening’s match will be the first time Inter and Saint-Étienne have ever faced off in a competitive game.
Balance heavily tipped toward Inter
The Nerazzurri have faced French sides 26 times in European competition, with a record of 12 wins, seven draws and seven defeats. We can also add two draws and one loss in three encounters in the Coppa dell’Amicizia and Club World Cup. Inter will be hosting a French opponent for the 14th time in Europe with a positive record of seven victories, three draws and three losses; with this we can also include two draws from the Coppa dell’Amicizia and Club World Cup.
Previous clash against Cagliari, 44 years ago
This will be the third competitive European meeting between Saint-Étienne and an Italian club. The two previous matches took place in the 1970/71 European Cup, when Les Verts were knocked out by Cagliari after a 0-3 loss in Sardinia in the first leg, followed by a 1-0 French victory in the return match. In other (lesser) international competitions, Saint-Étienne registered two wins against SPAL Ferrara in the 1961 Coppa dell’Amicizia, and a 3-4 away loss to AC Milan in the Coppa Latina.
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