St. Etienne vs. Inter Milan: Issues That Will Shape Europa League Game
The second meeting of the two sides who were favourites to progress out of Group F in the Europa League, Inter Milan and Saint-Etienne, has plenty riding on it.
The Italians have started well, winning their first two games against Dnipro and Qarabag before playing out a 0-0 stalemate with Saint-Etienne.
They sit top of the group on seven points but will not yet feel completely confident of qualifying as Qarabag are just three points behind.
The French team, meanwhile, have not conceded a single goal yet. Nor have they scored one, though, meaning they have three draws and just three points so far.
They will be keen to notch a maiden win, then, against an Inter side who have been inconsistent recently.
Here are the key issues and decisions that will shape the game.
Can Saint-Etienne Score a Goal?
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The French team need to start winning games if they are to get out of the group stage.
It is impossible to win games in the group stage without scoring goals, so they must address this issue immediately.
While it hasn't exactly been raining goals for them in Ligue 1, they have managed 12 in as many matches, which is better than they are doing in Europe.
Ricky van Wolfswinkel led the line in the previous encounter against Inter and had virtually no impact on the game, so perhaps on this occasion it would be worth trying someone else up front.
Ivorian attacker Max-Alain Gradel has scored in consecutive games in the league, so he may be the player most likely to trouble Inter's defence, especially if he is given a start.
Will Inter Go for the Win or Play for a Draw?
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Italian sides will notoriously do the bare minimum required to get themselves through a tournament but will Walter Mazzarri's men be happy with a second-straight draw against their French rivals, or will they come out firing and attempt to secure a stranglehold on the group?
A win would all-but see them through to the next stage (or could even confirm progression, depending on the other result), which would enable them to rest players for the final two matches.
A draw would probably be quite satisfactory for now, too, considering it would leave Saint-Etienne on four points, but it may give Qarabag hopes of taking out first place if they manage to beat Dnipro.
Since Inter are just coming off a shock loss to Parma, it will be very interesting to see how aggressive Mazzarri is with his tactics and formation.
Who Will Mazzarri Favour Up Front?
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Inter's strike force has not exactly been firing lately.
Rodrigo Palacio is yet to find the net this season. Mauro Icardi looks down on confidence. The younger Argentine scored a hat-trick against Sassuolo back in September but those were the only goals he has managed from open play in Serie A all season.
Dani Osvaldo has hit four, but he remains out with an adductor injury.
For those reasons, Mazzarri could consider starting with just one man up front, perhaps the burly Icardi to act as a target, while playing a trio of creative types like Fredy Guarin, Hernanes and Mateo Kovacic behind him.
Unfortunately, until the next transfer window, the Inter coach's forward options are limited, so he may just have to hope the Icardi-Palacio combination finally clicks into gear.
The Battle Between Kevin Theophile-Catherine and Dodo
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Two of the most in-form players on the pitch will be matched up against each other.
Inter's Brazilian left-back/winger has been gradually improving for the Nerazzurri after making the switch from Roma at the start of the season.
He is often the one driving his side forward and seems to have boundless energy down the flank.
Kevin Theophile-Catherine has been excellent, too, on the right for Saint-Etienne. He is another full-back who likes to get into attacking areas whenever possible, and he threatened Inter's goal on several occasions the first time these two sides met.
The battle for supremacy down that side of the pitch should be one of the most entertaining to watch in this clash.
Who Will Be Between the Posts for Inter?
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Samir Handanovic is one of the best goalkeepers in Serie A, though he had a rather forgettable outing against Parma in his last start.
He could have done better on Paolo De Ceglie's second goal for the home team and may not be feeling at his most confident.
Juan Pablo Carrizo, meanwhile, hasn't started in the league but has played three times in the Europa League this season. He was very impressive against Saint-Etienne last time around and could well be given the nod by Mazzarri once again.
In what could be a tight game, any blunders at the back may prove the difference, so the manager must be careful when making his decision.
