Inter’s 474-minute European shutout
The Nerazzurri haven’t conceded a goal in European competition since Adebayor’s effort in the 96th minute of Inter 4-1 Tottenham on 14 March 2013. The remaining 24 minutes of that match (which went to extra time) plus the first five outings of this year’s competition (the two-legged playoff plus three group games) add up to a shutout lasting 474 minutes.
Mazzarri’s men 83 minutes away from longest European run without conceding
Another clean sheet tonight would set a new club record for minutes without conceding in Europe. The Nerazzurri have clocked up 474 minutes so far while the current record stands at 557 minutes, logged in the 1990/91 UEFA Cup between Stevanovic’s goal in the 62nd minute of Partizan 1-1 Inter (12 December 1990) and Rizzitelli’s strike in minute 80 of Roma 1-0 Inter (22 May 1991). Between those goals were the 28 remaining minutes in Belgrade, plus matches against Atalanta (0-0 in Bergamo, 2-0 in San Siro), Sporting Lisbon (0-0 in Portugal, 2-0 in Milan), the first leg against Roma at the Meazza (2-0) and the first 79 minutes at the Olimpico.
Les Verts firing blanks for 377 minutes
Saint-Etienne haven’t hit the net in Europe in 377 minutes. That barren run stretches back to Monnet-Paquet’s 13th-minute strike in a 1-0 home win over Karabukspor (after extra time). They have been goalless in the remaining 107 minutes of that game plus three 0-0 draws in Group F.
Vincic of Slovenia to officiate
Slovenia official Slavko Vincic, 34, an international referee since 2010, has been appointed for this match. He will be making his ninth appearance in European competition. It is his first time in charge of a game involving French or Italian sides.
0-0 a fortnight ago
This is the second competitive fixture between Saint-Etienne and Inter: their only previous meeting was in Matchday 3 this year, a goalless stalemate.
Saint-Etienne v Italy all square
This is Saint-Etienne’s fourth match-up with Italian clubs in traditional European cup competitions, the previous three yielding a home win, an away defeat and last month’s draw in Milan. Saint-Etienne also faced sides from Italy on two occasions in the Cup of Friendship (two wins over SPAL in 1961) and once in the Latin Cup (a 4-3 away defeat to AC Milan).
Inter on top against French outfits
Inter have faced French teams 27 times in official European competition with a record of W12, D8, L7. To that we can add three encounters in the Cup of Friendship and the Mundialito Club (two draws and one defeat). Inter will be playing on French soil in traditional European competition for the 14th time tonight: they have previously won five, drawn four and lost four.
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