Claudio Ranieri called Inter “bullies who systematically foul and must be punished,” while “Jose Mourinho always complains.”
The rivalry between these two tacticians has always been fairly vicious and it exploded after the 1-1 draw at San Siro.
“It was a fine Roma that played well and created many chances, but was also battered heavily,” snapped the Giallorossi boss on Sky Italia.
“I like physical football, but next time we need to come here with armour. Inter committed twice as many fouls as we did it was 26 to 13.”
When told that Mourinho had also criticised the referee, it sparked more anger from Ranieri.
“Mourinho complained? I expected that, he always complains. These were systematic, tactical, professional fouls.
“They are big bullies and if we allow them to carry on like this then they're going to do it. The referee has to privilege those who play football. This was a tactic and therefore has to be punished.”
Roma felt it particularly keenly, as Daniele De Rossi fractured his right cheekbone 30 minutes in.
“Thanks to [Patrick] Vieira, De Rossi needs surgery. He often jumps with his elbows raised, but in England he would get sent off for that.”
Mourinho also stated that Roma “did nothing to win” and accused them of playing negatively.
“With all the strikers he had at his disposal, he had fewer shots on target than we did,” replied Ranieri.
“If the first counter had gone well for us, he'd be crying right now. Inter poured forward and did very little with it.
“We wanted to go on the counter every time, but they were systematically knocking our players down to prevent the danger. When a team tries to move the ball to feet quickly and is knocked down every time with tactical fouls to stop us going forward, it becomes difficult.
“We played football and Inter did not. I am amazed Mourinho is complaining about the referee. It's astonishing!”
“I am very happy with the team spirit and the hunger to do well, plus the standard of the football. Obviously one always wants more. We tried to go on the counter and conclude them, but every single time we were systematically hacked down.”
Nonetheless, Ranieri insisted he does not dislike The Special One.
“I put Mourinho on his own level as a Coach and communicator. He's amazing because he turns everything around so he's always right.
“He is doing very well in Italy and bringing a lot of attention to Serie A, so anyone who does that makes me happy.
“It's not true I dislike him. Of course every now and then there is a bit of spice, he says I'm 70 and that I won a little cup, actually I won four and one of them was when he was only an assistant manager at Barcelona.”
Mou blasts Inter, Roma, ref and Mario Jose Mourinho was scathing in his criticism of Inter, Roma, the referee and especially Mario Balotelli. “He was terrible, close to zero.” More
Int 1-1 Rom: Roma stall Inter's progress Mirko Vucinic and Samuel Eto'o were on target as Roma held Inter to a San Siro draw and cut their lead at the top to five points. More
