Inter defender Andrea Ranocchia knows that the pressure is on he and his teammates to take three points from their clash with Torino this evening to keep pace at the top of the Serie A table.

Speaking to InterTV prior to the match, the 34-year-old emphasized the importance of victory as the only result which will be satisfactory in the context of the Nerazzurri’s season.

Inter’s city rivals AC Milan won against Empoli yesterday evening to temporarily go five points clear of them at the top of the table, whilst Napoli beat Verona earlier today.

The Nerazzurri’s fate remains in their own hands given their games in hand, but they will be taking nothing for granted especially against a team with the quality of Torino, who have gotten significant results against top sides in Serie A already this campaign.

Inter know that they must produce a response to the results of their main rivals for the Scudetto, and Ranocchia knows what the pressure is.

“We absolutely have to win because the other teams are going strong,” he said, “our goal is to go back to Milan with three points.”

On what he expects from the Granata, the defender predicted that they will face “A game of aggression, they put a lot of pressure on the ball carriers. It will be a rough match, but we have to be ready.”

Ranocchia added that “We have to limit their pressure as much as possible and attack with pace in behind, and reduce their morale.”