Inter head coach Antonio Conte is amused by talk of a significant injury problem at Real Madrid before the sides do battle in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Prior to the International break, the Serie A outfit allowed a two-goal advantage to slip in the Spanish capital. They ended on the wrong side of a 3-2 scoreline.
The Nerazzurri are out for revenge in midweek, and Conte has shrugged off talk that Real Madrid will be significantly weakened by physical complaints.
Los Blancos will be without the injured group of Sergio Ramos, Karim Benzema, Fede Valverde and Alvaro Odriozola while Luka Jovic and Eder Militao are both missing after testing positive for Covid-19.
“I don't think Madrid can cry about their losses,” Conte told the media. “They have a team with many good players. The fact that the newspapers talk about Madrid's absences makes me laugh.”
For both teams, this is a vital match. Madrid have four points to their credit while Inter have just two, and the Italian acknowledged that it promises to be a pivotal match for his group.
“It’s a final,” he said. “We know the history of the team, not only from the past, but also from recent history. We know that we don't have many options other than to get a big result. We have shown that if we play well and are focused, we can win the game.
“We need to try and win the game of course. I don't think there are any other solutions.
“We still have three games left and we have to get at least seven points. It is one of the most difficult groups in the Champions League, but I think we have shown in previous games that we deserve much more. But it is true that the results have not come and we have to see why.”
Elsewhere in Group B, leaders Borussia Monchengladbach host second-placed Shakhtar Donetsk, who also have four points.