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Serie A Preview: Inter v Bologna

Walter Mazzarri's men have seen their hopes of UEFA Europa League football dented in recent weeks after dropping points against Atalanta, Udinese and Livorno.

They have still held on to Serie A's final European qualifying place, but will be aware of the need to stop throwing away points cheaply.

Inter's last slip-up came at struggling Livorno on Monday, after they had looked to be cruising to victory courtesy of two first-half goals.

Paulinho pulled one back before Fredy Guarin's misplaced backpass allowed Innocent Emeghara to salvage a point and add to Inter's frustrations.

While Mazzarri refused to single out the Colombian for criticism, he expressed his anger at Inter's trend of giving up winning positions.

"Guarin just needs to play like he knows how, mistakes like the one (at Livorno) can happen," he said.

"You might say it's an off-day, but it's a host of off-days that have seen us throw away important points. We need to progress to assess things well come the end of the season."

Inter will be desperate to end their mini-slump and secure a return to European football following a year out due to last season's ninth-place finish.

Amid reports the club's hierarchy could opt to dismiss coach Davide Ballardini, who only took charge in January, the 50-year-old insists the board have backed him to keep Bologna up.

"Do I feel the club has faith in me? Yes," he told Sky Sport Italia after Saturday's 2-0 defeat to Atalanta, which drew the anger of many supporters at the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara.