Dodo struck the only goal of the first 45 minutes as Inter Milan secured a slender 1-0 half-time lead over Saint-Etienne in their Europa League trip to France.

Inter dominated the opening exchanges and twice came close through Zdravko Kuzmanovic, who shot just wide of the post on both occasions inside 10 minutes.

Walter Mazzarri's side continued on in the same vein, and Ibrahima Mbaye went close by heading at Stephane Ruffier from a Dodo corner.

It took the best part of 25 minutes for the hosts to threaten, with Romain Hamouma having their first meaningful effort at goal but Juan Pablo Carrizo proved equal to it.

The Italians did take the lead through Dodo, however, as the Brazilian scuffed the ball home on 33 minutes to give the Nerazzurri a narrow advantage.