Internazionale 2 - 2 Palermo

Internazionale v Palermo: Preview

Updated: April 10, 2009, 2:34 PM UK

Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho expects Palermo to provide his title-chasing team with a stern test at the San Siro tomorrow.

The Nerazzurri last weekend increased their lead over second-placed Juventus to nine points with eight games remaining.

A somewhat fortunate win over Udinese, courtesy of an own goal from Mauricio Isla, coupled with Juve's 3-3 draw against Chievo moved Mourinho's men one step closer to claiming their fourth straight Scudetto.

But the Portuguese does not think his side will have it all their own way tomorrow against Davide Ballardini's eighth-placed Palermo outfit.

"I do not see the game tomorrow as one in which Inter will have the ball and Palermo let us play,'' said Mourinho.

"Ballardini has a team that is capable of getting into the UEFA Cup (Europa League). They have shown they play without fear.''

While Inter hold a healthy advantage at the summit, Mourinho knows the title is far from decided yet with Juve - who travel to fourth-spotted Genoa tomorrow - ready to pounce on any slip-up.

"We still need 15 points. Our advantage is not definitive,'' said the former Porto and Chelsea coach.

"We can not rely on Juve losing points on the road. We have the opportunity to pick up 12 points at home.

"The fans must understand that it is not done yet. We need their support. I have never lost the championship in the last two months, but you never know.

"A week ago, it was thought that the advantage might go from seven to five points. Instead it increased to nine.

"Tomorrow, who knows? It could go from nine to six.''

Inter, who remain unbeaten at the San Siro this season, will be without troubled striker Adriano tomorrow. The Brazil forward failed to report back following international duty and yesterday announced he is taking a break from football as he has "lost the joy of playing''.

Mourinho insists he and club president Massimo Moratti have done all they can to help the 27-year-old.

"I do not want to talk about it,'' the coach said when asked about Adriano today.

"Inter have done everything to help him - even before my arrival. I have tried, as a coach and person, as has the president. We'll see. The important thing is that he is so happy.''

As well as Adriano, the Italian champions will also be without Francesco Bolzoni, Luis Jimenez, Julio Cesar and Maicon tomorrow.

Palermo travel to the San Siro to meet league leaders Inter buoyed by last weekend's 1-0 win over Torino.

That result lifted the Sicilian outfit to eighth in the standings, four points behind Roma, who hold the last European qualifying spot.

Rosanero coach Ballardini believes his team have what it takes to play in Europe next season as long as they continue to show their quality in their last eight games of the campaign.

"It depends on us,'' said Ballardini. "We have to continue to show quality performances and wait to see what happens.''

Like Mourinho, though, he is expecting tomorrow to be a battle.

"I heard Inter really care about the match against Palermo,'' he said. "This game will be an important step along their path towards the title.

"Inter have been the league's best team for the past three years and the stats say they have been losing only three or four games a year.''