[D-Kin]

Mancio: Playing to win Wednesday 12 December, 2007

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Inter boss Roberto Mancini insists that the Nerazzurri will go out to win against PSV tonight – even though they have nothing to play for.

The Italian champions have already secured top spot in Group G and have little motivation, but their Dutch opponents are fighting for a place in the last 16.

“Inter, like all great sides, always play to win,” Mancini stressed at his pre-match UEFA Press conference.

“We have brought all our top players and we won’t be experimenting. I think that it’s the right thing to do to play your best even though you have already secured qualification.”

It won’t be a full side, however, as Olivier Dacourt, Luis Figo, Francesco Toldo, Patrick Vieira, Luis Jimenez and Dejan Stankovic are all injured.

“We would have liked to have left some of the more tired players at home, but we can’t do that as we wouldn’t even have 15 players,” Mancio moaned.

“So it’s down to the lads to grit their teeth and wait for next week for a rest. We will see how fit the players are when we get to Holland.

“Maxwell has a knee problem and we aren’t sure if he will play. Cristian Chivu will be in midfield with Nelson Rivas in at centre-back.

“Marco Materazzi played well for 60 minutes against Torino, but I don’t know whether he can manage 90 yet – it’s up to him.

“This will be a good chance for Hernan Crespo, as he will play up front,” Mancini concluded. “He has been impressive over the last 10 days and hopefully can use this as a chance to regain fitness.”

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