Angry Mourinho slams dull Inter Milan

Milan - Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho did not hide his bitterness after his side's dull performance against Genoa and threatened major changes Wednesday when the champions visit Fiorentina for a big mid-week tie.

A scoreless home draw against Genoa cost Inter the league lead with Udinese now on top on 17 points, ahead on goal difference over Inter and Napoli.

"The coach is always responsible, but the players must do what I say," Mourinho said.

"In the second half this did not always happen. Evidently, some players don't know me well enough. Maybe they'll begin to learn when I name the line-up on Tuesday."

Although the whole team played below par, second-half substitute forwards Julio Cruz, Victor Obinna and Mario Balotelli appear to be those in the sights of Mourinho, who added he won't accept tiredness as an excuse.

"A father who returns home after 15 hours of work for a few hundred euros of pay is tired," Mourinho said.

Fiorentina, meanwhile, are flying high after a 3-1 win at Palermo that saw improving Adrian Mutu notch a brace after Alberto Gilardino opened the scoring to become the top Serie A scorer on seven goals.

Gila, however, received a good share of criticism for celebrating despite having scored the goal against Palermo with an arm.

"The bad thing is that Gilardino told a lie on television," Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini said. "He said he did not realize (what happened)."

Udinese, meanwhile, may have a hard time when they visit Catania as the Sicily side boast 15 points and have won all their four home games.

Napoli had some luck when they edged Lazio 1-0 thanks to an own goal and look to retain their winning record at home against bottom side Reggina.

AC Milan trail the leaders by just one points and have chances to notch three more points as they welcome Siena.

Injury-plagued Juventus linger in mid-table on 12 points ahead of a visit to lowly Bologna, while troubled giants Roma are far worse off, level on seven points with their next opponents Sampdoria.

Lazio visit struggling Chievo, Genoa welcome Cagliari, Lecce entertain Palermo and Torino host Atalanta. (dpa)

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