Jose Mourinho has warned his Inter players to expect a battle in Wednesday's Coppa Italia semi-final first leg against Fiorentina.

The Nerazzurri go into the encounter at the San Siro fully rested after their match at Parma on Sunday was postponed because of snow.

Despite holding an 18-point advantage in Serie A over the Viola, Mourinho is not taking Fiorentina lightly.

"Whoever gets to the semi-final wants to get to the final. It's normal," said Mourinho. "Fiorentina are no easy opponents.

"We just have to focus on getting a positive result tomorrow but even that doesn't guarantee us anything.

"We could win 3-0 tomorrow and lose 4-0 in Florence or we could lose 1-0 tomorrow and win 2-0 in Florence.

"In any case we are in good condition and I hope my team can get a positive result."

Mourinho, whose side are eight-points clear at the top of the Serie A standings, criticised the Lega Calcio's decision to play the return leg in Florence on April 14.

"To play the first leg tomorrow and the return leg in two months' time is like playing the first half tomorrow and the second half in two months," said Mourinho.

"I don't understand why this game will be played in April, it's very strange but that's the way it is."

New boy Mcdonald Mariga could make his Inter debut tomorrow following his capture from Parma yesterday.

"Mariga trained today for the first time with the team," said Mourinho.

"He seems to be in good condition to be useful to us.

"He has room for improvement and I am happy to have him in the squad."

Mourinho confirmed he will rest some players ahead of Sunday's match against Cagliari.

"There are so many games to play that I must make changes to the team," he explained.

Fiorentina coach Cesare Prandelli is confident his team can test Inter's strength over the two legs.

"We know we face the strongest team in the tournament, but a semi-final is always a big game," said Prandelli.

"We will try to make life difficult for them. We have nothing to lose, our only thought is to go out on the pitch and play a great game."

Fiorentina go into the encounter on the back of a 2-2 draw at Cagliari which saw them drop to 11th in the Serie A standings.

The visitors will be without forward Adrian Mutu, who is suspended following a failed drug test.