Inter's Claudio Ranieri wary of 'fantastic' Udinese

The 60-year-old has warned his men to expect a difficult encounter at the weekend and was full of respect for the Europa League hopefuls.

Inter coach Claudio Ranieri has stressed that Udinese will not be pushovers in Saturday's Serie A match at the Giuseppe Meazza.

Ranieri has warned his men that they will be facing a very strong team and had nothing but positive words for the Zebrette.

"Udinese are one of the best teams in closing down space and hitting with a deadly counterattack. We'll need to be tactically shrewd and take care so as not to let them hit us on the break," Ranieri said during the pre-match press conference.

"Udinese have been a fantastic team this season, and not just this year. The president [Giampaolo] Pozzo has created an excellent academy, where obviously there are those who come through and those who don't, but many manage to.

"Then the valuable ones are sold. Despite this the team always remain at a high level. I really must compliment them."

Inter currently sit 15th in the Serie A table, while Udinese are in third place.