Stramaccioni wants Inter to challenge

Andrea Stramaccioni says it is Inter Milan’s duty to compete for the Europa League title following their late win over Partizan Belgrade.

After collecting their second victory of their campaign on Thursday, Inter now lead Group H and are in a strong position to qualify, although it was not always routine for Stramaccioni’s men on Thursday.

“Inter care about this competition and it is our duty to be protagonists in Europe and Italy,” he said.

“We started in the preliminary rounds and want to go all the way. In the first half we suffered with the way they passed the ball around, I won’t deny that.

“But we knew they (Partizan) were a very technical side. After the break it was an Inter (in charge) and we created so many scoring opportunities.”

Stramaccioni reserved special praise for goalkeeper Samir Handanovic, who made a crucial save moments before Rodrigo Palacio broke the deadlock.

“Handanovic’s save was worth three points, every bit as much as Palacio’s goal,” he said.

“I liked the way we went looking for the goal, as we knew that a win tonight would put us in a strong position to qualify. Jonathan impressed me after a few performances in which he didn’t show his true worth.

“Now the game in Belgrade will be crucial, as if (Partizan) win that then it all opens up again.”