Preview: Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk vs. Inter Milan

Last year was the first since 1993 that Inter Milan had failed to qualify for any of UEFA's European competitions.

However, the Nerazzurri rectified that last term by finishing fifth in Serie A to secure their participation in this season's Europa League.

First up in the group stages Walter Mazzarri's men travel to Ukrainian side Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk on Thursday evening. Inter have a positive record against clubs from the Eastern European country, having not lost any of their previous six encounters.

They are also in positive form domestically following their 7-0 thrashing of Sassuolo at the weekend, thanks in part to a hat-trick scored by striker Mauro Icardi.

The Argentine is expected to retain his place in the starting lineup for this clash, but there could be changes elsewhere, with Fredy Guarin and Rodrigo Palacio believed to be pushing for recalls.

As for hosting Dnipro, winger Yevhen Konoplyanka, who has recently been linked with moves to Liverpool, Manchester United and West Ham United, is expected to feature from the beginning.

Dnipro have faced Italian opposition on six occasions during their history, four of which they have lost, with just the one victory, which came at the expense of Napoli in 2012.

Recent form

Dnipro: WWWDDW

Inter: WWDW

Possible starting lineups

Dnipro: Boyko; Strinic, Douglas, Mazuch, Fedetskiy; Konoplyanka, Kravchenko, Kankava, Gama; Shakhov, Kalinic

Inter: Handanovic; Andreolli, Ranocchia, Juan Jesus, Nagatomo; Hernanes, Medel, Kovacic, Guarin; Palacio, Icardi

Sports Mole says: 1-1