Inter Milan: Expectations low for 'Serie A's most complete team' ahead of Liverpool tie

«Liverpool are at the top of the list of clubs I had hoped to avoid in the draw,» admitted Inter Coach Simone Inzaghi.

Inzaghi wasn't alone in hoping his team would avoid such intimidating opponents.

Despite winning the Scudetto last season and being favourites to win the league title again this year, less than half the people asked on radio and newspaper surveys in Italy believed the Nerazzurri had any hope against their English rivals.

Such pessimism seems unmerited when you consider how formidable Inter have looked domestically, especially at the time the draw was made.

Their greatest talents may have departed yet Inter looked more complete and more reliable.

Inzaghi has taken Antonio Conte's work and improved upon it. Playing with more ambition, every member of the team is encouraged to take part in attacking schemes, allowing for such a high number of goalscorers.

Players have admitted to having more fun under Inzaghi than Conte, as he allows them to take defensive risks in the name of attacking fluidity. Despite this, they have remained solid.

Having already secured their first trophy of the season, the Supercoppa, the blue and black half of Milan are still in the running to lift three further trophies. Yet no one takes them seriously as genuine contenders for the Champions League. Why?

Inter may have been the last Italian club to have lifted the coveted European trophy but prior to this year, they exited the competition at the group stage for the past three seasons.

Watching teams like Atalanta and even Lazio last year get further despite their budgets and inferior talents left many questioning the Nerazzurri's ability to conquer Europe.

Inzaghi, the least experienced of the coaches to have presided over the club in