Mazzarri hits back at Montella

Inter coach Walter Mazzarri has hit back at comments from Vincenzo Montella over the Milan club’s wage structure.

Mazzarri saw his side seal a late win in midweek over the Florence outfit, and afterwards claimed that Montella could lead them to the Serie A title.

The former Italy striker responded negatively to those claims ahead of the weekend, claiming Mazzarri would get “offended” if he had said likewise.

And the former Napoli boss reignited the row after his side’s 1-1 draw Cagliari on Sunday.

Mazzarri told Sky Sport Italia: “Perhaps Montella was wound up and just wanted to make himself look calm.

“I said Fiorentina are one of the Scudetto contenders after the game, so how is that not a compliment? I mention other coaches after a match, not beforehand in a press conference.

“In the last two years Inter have dropped their wage bill from €180m to €80m, which is the opposite of what clubs like Fiorentina are doing. That has to be mentioned if we’re analysing the mathematics of who is pushing for what.

“Montella was wrong, then he just kept on going as well. Nobody talked about Fiorentina. I’d have more to say to Montella too, but I’m not going to do it here.”

Mauro Icardi had given Inter a lead with just 15 minutes to go on Sunday, having previously dominated much of the match, before Radja Nainggolan struck a deflected equaliser.

Mazzarri lamented his side’s inability to strike earlier in the game, but credited home goalkeeper, Michael Agazzi’s performance.

He added: “We started very strong despite the heavy pitch and we probably deserved to take an earlier lead. It’s a shame, as we played so well and brought home so little.

“The goalkeeper was in great shape today and saved everything. We were also a little slow and sluggish in front of goal, then one chance got stuck in a puddle. It seemed like the first half against Sassuolo, only without the ball in the net.

“When you talk about fighting for the top of the table, anyone who has been there knows that if you play great football and don’t put it in the net, then you go nowhere.

“Ca
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gliari are a strong side with a midfield barrier in front of the defence, so we knew that we’d have to keep possession and then inject a sudden burst of pace.”