Inter down to bare bones in defence

Inter Milan are set to travel to Manchester on Tuesday with just two fit central defenders after losing Marco Materazzi and and Nicolas Burdisso to injury.

Both picked up injuries within the first half hour of Inter’s 2-0 victory over Genoa today, and coach Jose Mourinho doubts either will be available for Wednesday’s Champions League clash at Old Trafford.

Mourinho said: “(Christian) Chivu, (Walter) Samuel, Materazzi and Burdisso are out.”

The former Chelsea boss jokingly adding that there “is a bit of hope” they can recover, but that the hope “will end tomorrow morning”.

Mourinho admitted he is tempted to play his biggest striker in the back four.

That would be Mario Balotelli, who Mourinho says is a consideration for Wednesday.

“I have got to think about it,” he said. “He plays well, is creative and is gaining more faith.

“He is a tough player to face as an opponent. He has personality and shows no fear.

“Who knows, it is a possibility, with his height, that maybe he could play at the centre of the defence.

“But then maybe I would be a bit worried about him trying to nutmeg his way out of defence.”

Whoever Mourinho does choose in his defence, which at this point looks like it can only be Ivan Cordoba and Nelson Rivas, the Portuguese coach is confident they will be able to do a good enough job.

“Inter have always found the way out of any difficulty,” Mourinho added.