Inter Milan manager Roberto Mancini has said that his side will be in for a difficult match against Cagliari on Monday evening.

The Nerazzurri will be looking to win their third Serie A games in a row following successive victories over Palermo and Atalanta.

"Can we get a third straight win? Nobody can say that for sure," Mancini told reporters. "It will be difficult, as always, because Cagliari are very solid on home turf.

"Obviously we hope to win and hope to improve our defensive record. Gianfranco Zola's teams are always tough to beat. We're almost the same age and I'm happy to have him back in Serie A."

Inter are currently 11th in the Serie A table, six points adrift of the European places.