Mourinho wants respect!

Inter has beaten Juventus 2-1 in the quarter-finals of the Italian Cup competition (Coppa Italia), but coach Jose Mourinho has come out and defended his team counterpart Ciro Ferrara.

Ferrara is seemingly on his way out at the Turin giants, but the 'Special One' has called for some respect to be shown towards the former defender.

"We are men, and have families. It is not good what he is currently going through," Mourinho stated to Rai. "There is a lot of discussion about who will replace him, Zaccheroni, Benitez, but he deserves respect. In this moment in time, no-one respects him."

As for how the match played out, the Inter boss admits that it was tough until the first Nerazzurri goal was scored. But after that, it all became easier.

"The team started well during the match, but then Juventus scored early," he said. "We remained calm, and tried to forget what happened at the end of the first half."

"With Milito on, we played better. We knew that we were playing better than our opposition, and once the first goal was scored, it all became easier. It was a victory that was well-deserved," concluded Mourinho.

The Beneamata will now take on Fiorentina in the semi-finals.

source: Goal.com

I Pondered My First Home Defeat In Eight Years, says Mourinho

After watching his Inter side pull off a great escape to defeat Siena 4-3 after having twice gone behind to the Tuscan outfit, coach Jose Mourinho heaped praise on the Nerazzurri’s character.

“Malesani and I had a chat after the game. One was super happy because he just won a game that was lost and the other vice versa because his side played great but were leaving with nothing,” he declared to SkySports.

“I thought at first glance our free kick was non-existent, but Wesley stuck it away with a great strike.

“Today our side was at all sorts and I was given a massive blow after half time with the injury to Stankovic on his re-entry onto the pitch.

“We wanted to play the diamond but simply didn’t have the personnel to do so. Siena were better than us. They had a great counter attack and caused on numerous problems.

“At 3-2 I was pondering my first home defeat in eight years against Malesani’s Siena, and I thought at least it will come against a coach I like.

“What I must say however is that my men showed an incredible character to come back like that and win the game. I feel extremely sorry for Siena as they didn’t deserve to lose but unfortunately these things can happen in football.”

Mourinho will have to go to court

ROME (AFP) - Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho looks set to face a penalty for insulting a journalist after the Football League referred his case to the sporting justice disciplinary committee.

Following Inter's 1-1 draw at Atalanta in December, Mourinho allegedly screamed abuse at Corriere dello Sport journalist Andrea Ramazzotti.

Ramazzotti had strayed into a restricted area to listen in to interviews the official Inter TV Channel were conducting with players after the game.

According to press reports, Mourinho, who later claimed he had told Ramazzotti several times before not to come into that area beside the club's team coach, swore at the reporter.

Corriere, alongside several other major Italian newspapers boycotted Mourinho's next press conference in protest.

Mourinho is accused of having violated article 1 of the sporting justice code by "using hurtful language towards sports journalist Andrea Ramazzotti" and of having "grabbed him by the forearms".

Inter have also been called before the sporting justice to explain their employee's actions.

Mourinho has often found himself in hot water this season in Italy, twice being sent-off and serving one-match touchline bans.

Vieira leave Inter, Mourinho wishes him good luck

ROME (AFP) - Patrick Vieira's departure from Inter Milan was confirmed on Wednesday after coach Jose Mourinho said the French midfield veteran had played his "last game" for the Italian champions.

Vieira, who is being tipped to join Manchester City, was given a rare start for Inter because of several absences in midfield.

The Serie A champions beat Chievo 1-0 thanks to a Mario Balotelli goal in the 12th minute to stretch their lead over city rivals AC Milan to 11 points.

"Today we had a few problems but I have a team full of professionals who went out and did a remarkable job," Mourinho told Sky Sport.

"I should have good words to say about everybody but the only person I want to talk about is Vieira, who has played his last match for us.

"He had an impeccable game. It was the perfect farewell to us, and I want to wish him all the best for his new career."

Vieira, 33, has had a shaky past three seasons at Inter Milan and, now on the fringes of the France team, he is desperate for first team football to boost his chances of featuring in Raymond Domenech's World Cup squad.

Reports this week suggested City have been in talks with Inter over signing Vieira, who has also had the rule run over him by former French champions Lyon.

Mourinho said he believes Vieira, who at the end of the match hugged several of his team-mates, was definitely returning to the English Premier League.

"He hasn't said a word to anybody but he has mentioned the English Premier League," added the Portuguese.

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini, who coached Inter when Vieira first arrived following a year with Juventus, said on Monday he was interested in taking the former Arsenal midfielder on loan till the end of the season.