INTER FEAR 'INCREDIBLE' ANFIELD

Sporting Life 18 February 2008

Julio Cruz says the intimidating atmosphere at Anfield could be the biggest threat to Inter's European dreams.

The reigning Serie A champions take on Liverpool in the first leg of their Champions League first knockout stage tie on Tuesday night.

The Nerazzurri are heading for another domestic title as they lead the table by 11 points this season, while Liverpool are still smarting from that shock home FA Cup defeat by Barnsley.

But Argentine striker Cruz says the atmosphere on a big European night on Merseyside can be a great leveller.

He told the club's official website: "The atmosphere at the stadium will be incredible. And Liverpool have some fantastic players, but Inter start on the same level."

While Liverpool have struggled to recreate the domestic glory days of years gone by, they've still managed to reach two Champions League finals in the last three seasons. A fact not lost on Cruz.

He added: "The Champions League is a strange competition, there are many teams seen as favourites to win it, but then it can happen that Liverpool, for example, reach the final twice in three years. There's definitely a reason why they do much better in the cup than in the championship..."

Inter have been strongly fancied to go all the way in Europe's premier club competition in the last two seasons.

But all they have to show for those runs are painful knockout exits at the hands of Spanish sides Villarreal and Valencia.

Cruz said: "What happened in the past is a lesson for us. We got knocked out against Valencia last year despite drawing both matches. We have realised that we have to play to win and do things well. This is the only way to get through the round."

Inter will play the second leg against Liverpool in their own San Siro stadium, but Cruz says their focus is currently trained on Tuesday night at Anfield.

"We mustn't think that this might be an advantage. We have to try and do things well without thinking about the return leg at home, and try to kill off the match before the game in Milan."