Mancini lets rip after derby defeat

– On the other side, Inter have won only one of their last six league games (D2 L3).

Regarded only weeks ago as the tighest “scudetto” race in decades, Inter Milan’s 3-0 defeat to AC Milan in the city derby means it is steadily becoming a two-horse race between Napoli and four-time consecutive champions Juve.

Alex opened the scoring with a powerful header on 35 minutes from Keisuke Honda’s cross to give Milan 1-0 half-time lead.

The Nerazzuri were made to pay, as Niang delivered a fine cross for Carlos Bacca to slide in his 11th League goal of the season, before assister turned finisher as Niang slotted home on the second time of asking to secure a much-needed 3-0 win for the Red and Blacks. I wanted to play and make sure I could contribute goals. “That’s the only way we can get ourselves back on track”, he said, adding he was hopeful that the club could sign Brazil-born Italy striker Eder from Sampdoria. Icardi goes to the right, but sidefoots it against the post!

The second “Derby dello Madonnina” – as the fixture is known – of the season comes late on Sunday with Milan, who sit 14 points adrift, desperate for the win that would inject life into their bid for European football next season. Frustrated coach Roberto Mancini publicly criticised his strikers after last Sunday’s 1-1 draw at home to Carpi, saying that, even at the age of 51, he could have scored one of the chances missed by Mauro Icardi.

With 16 games remaining, the Argentinian worldwide is not slowing down although he was replaced halfway during the second half when he received treatment after landing heavily from a mid-air clash.

With two minutes on the clock, Callejon doubled his tally with an angled strike that sneaked inside the near post.

“We have shown however that we can beat the sides above us in the table. We will use the best available team”, he told Rai Sport.

“I played Balotelli during the week because everyone is good at saying they are match-fit, but then you see differently on the pitch”.