Stankovic denies Ranieri spat

Dejan Stankovic has dismissed speculation that his relationship with Inter coach Claudio Ranieri has broken down in recent weeks.

The Serb had reacted angrily to his substitution against Napoli last month and it was reported that the midfielder had accused his boss of always taking off the same players during games.

Ranieri was subsequently forced to deny dropping Stankovic for the meeting with Catania the following weekend because of his alleged outburst at the San Paolo.

Stankovic has moved to quash reports of growing tension between the pair ahead of Tuesday’s crucial Champions League clash with Marseille at San Siro.

“I have no problem with him,” Stankovic told reporters on Monday. “I knew someone would ask me about this, even though it has nothing to do with football.”

“How could I not respect a coach like Ranieri? There is no problem and we are thinking only of the match against Marseille, which is the most important of the season.”

Inter trail 1-0 after their defeat at the Stade Velodrome last month but Stankovic insists that his side are brimming with belief once again after their morale-boosting Serie A victory over Chievo on Friday.

“We are confident after the last performance in Verona,” Stankovic said. “We know it will not be an easy game because in the group stages Marseille picked up more points away than at home.”

“But we must play with warm hearts and cool heads, try to control the game and we know that one goal at any time will do for us.”