Mancini clashes with Inter owner over tactics

Inter coach Roberto Mancini has disagreed with club owner Massimo Moratti's assertion that the Serie A leaders were too cautious and lacked courage in Sunday's 2-1 derby defeat by Milan.

Inter could have retained their title with a victory but will now have to pick up three points against Siena on Sunday or at Parma in the final game of the season to be sure of the scudetto.

Mancini's relationship with Moratti has been under scrutiny since the 43-year-old coach said in March he wanted to leave at the end of the season only for Moratti to say the next day that Mancini had changed his mind.

"We have never played for a draw in the derby or in other games," Mancini told a news conference ahead of today's Italian Cup semi-final, second leg, at Lazio.

"I believe when you lose, everyone searches for a guilty party and that usually is the coach. If Moratti has seen it that way, he is free to do so, but I don't agree."

Former Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho has been heavily linked with the Inter post with Italian media unsure whether Mancini has totally changed his mind after March's outburst.

"I have a contract with Inter for the next three years, full stop. You are always asking the same question," Mancini said.

Following the derby defeat to Milan, Moratti said Inter must show their courage to win the scudetto. He said that although the league title doesn't seem at risk, Inter must avoid any more slip-ups.

"No-one was ready to celebrate against Milan and we were all focused. We wanted to play well and win the game," insisted Moratti.

"I know we didn't mean to, but we were too careful in the first half. Sometimes fortune favours the brave, but that was not Roberto Mancini's fault."

Meanwhile, Mancini told reporters yesterday that Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who has just returned to training after a knee problem, is a big doubt for the Siena game.

"To see him on the field on Sunday seems to me quite difficult. I don't know what the situation is now or what it will be in a few weeks given that there is also Euro 2008, which he holds dear," Mancini added.

Coppa Italia SFs - Second legs

Today - 9 p.m. Lazio vs Inter (first leg: 0-0).

Tomorrow - 9 p.m. Catania vs Roma (first leg: 0-1).