Shakhtar Donetsk head coach Roberto De Zerbi has praised the quality of this Inter side ahead of his team’s clash with the Nerazzurri in Ukraine on Tuesday.

Speaking to Italian broadcaster Sport Italia ahead of the vital Champions League clash, the Shakhtar boss gave his appraisal of the Nerazurri side, who he considers formidable but invites the challenge from.

Inter travel to Ukraine this week knowing that they must get a result against Shakhtar or else risk seriously imperilling their chances of qualifying for the knockout rounds having suffered a disappointing loss to Real Madrid in their first group stage clash.

They will meet a familiar opponent in the form of ex-Benevento and Sassuolo coach De Zerbi, who took over from Luis Castro at Shakhtar over the summer and has hopes of a strong showing in Europe with the Ukrainian side.

Shakhtar will also be desperate for a result on Tuesday having lost their group stage opener against Sheriff Tiraspol, and they face formidable opposition in the form of the Nerazzurri, but De Zerbi is prepared.

He stated, “As an Italian I’m happy to play against a team from my country, I know the strength of Inter but I’m happy to face Simone Inzaghi.”

De Zerbi also gave his thoughts on the Scudetto races, stating that “Inter and Milan are the strongest and most complete teams in Serie A, even though Napoli can also do great things.”