Inter Milan boss Antonio Conte was warned his players that Shakhtar Donetsk pose the biggest threat yet to their hopes of Europa League glory.

The Serie A runners-up face the Ukrainian champions in the semi-finals at the Dusseldorf Arena on Monday evening having dispensed with Spanish side Getafe in the last 16 and German outfit Bayer Leverkusen in the quarter-finals.

However, Conte knows the three-time winners are likely to be pushed even further as they attempt to reach the final once again.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference, he said: "We have a lot or respect for Shakhtar. We are facing a team who have established themselves over the years and we are well prepared.

"[Shakhtar] are the strongest opponents we have faced so far in our Europa League path, but we want to show that there's a reason that we are in the semi-finals, and our aim is to reach the final."

For 35-year-old England international Ashley Young, the task ahead is the only focus despite the enticing possibility of a final showdown with former club Manchester United.

Young told www.uefa.com: "Obviously that's where we want to get to, the final, but we're not thinking about any opponent or who we're going to play against.

"We know that there is a fight with a very strong team, and that is not surprising. We are prepared for this.

"I repeat: there is a very difficult game ahead, but Inter also, I think, will face difficulties. Calmness is our DNA and I am sure that we are fully prepared for the match."

Castro, as he did before the quarter-final clash with Basel, appeared before the media unshaven, but revealed that down not down to superstition.

He said with a smile: "No, I just left my razor in Kiev and here, we can't leave the hotel."