Inter full-back Yuto Nagatomo has underlined the importance of winning the Coppa Italia this season.

The Italian giants have already been knocked out of the Champions League and could finally lose their grasp over the Scudetto this weekend as Serie A leaders AC Milan need just a point to win their first championship since 2004.

2010-11 has been a disappointing campaign for Inter but Nagatomo, who was signed by the Milanese side from Cesena on loan in January, believes that they can put a positive spin on their season by winning the Italian Cup.

“Obviously it would be very difficult to win the [Serie A] title but we won’t give up,” said Nagatomo at the launch of Inter’s new Japanese-version website. “Now we want to win the Cup. We want to end the season with an important success and we’re focused on that.”

Inter won the first-leg of their Coppa Italia semi-final tie against Roma 1-0 in Rome two weeks ago. The return leg at San Siro in Milan is next week.

The Japan international also praised his coach Leonardo, who replaced Rafael Benitez on Christmas Eve and helped restore team spirit in the dressing room.

“He focuses on the details and talks to us [players] a lot,” added Nagatomo. “If I’m not sure of something he explains everything to me, also in Japanese, he’s a great coach.”

Inter host Fiorentina in Serie A on Sunday afternoon.