Mourinho explains Balotelli row

(GSM) – Jose Mourinho has explained the reason behind last night’s shouting match with Mario Balotelli during Internazionale’s Coppa Italia match against Fiorentina (1-0).

The Portuguese manager commented on the cause of the touchline row. “He’s got to defend first, then focus on his problems.”

A furious Balotelli was substituted moments after the row and the youngster went straight into the tunnel, throwing his gloves on the ground and avoiding the Inter bench entirely.

“In my tactics the players must always defend first and foremost, even if they have a problem,” explained Mourinho on RAI television.

“I don’t care if they picked up an injury or lost their contact lenses. He’s got to defend first, then focus on his problems.”

Diego Milito produced the only goal in the first leg win at the Giuseppe Meazza while the second leg is in Florence on April 14.

“I liked the result more than the performance, especially in the second half,” added Mourinho.

“I expected more from my men, but the Viola controlled the tempo and forced me into certain changes.

“Only after the second leg will we know if this was a good result. It is already an advantage that we did not concede on home turf.

“Playing in Florence will not be easy and they’ll be eager to overturn this defeat.”