MILAN // The Inter Milan boss Jose Mourinho thanked predecessor Roberto Mancini following his side's epic 8-7 win on penalties in the Supercoppa against Roma. On a dramatic night at the San Siro, Sulley Muntari and Mario Balotelli twice put Inter ahead with their opponents coming from behind both times through Daniele De Rossi then a last-minute strike from Mirko Vucinic to make it 2-2 take the game to extra time. In the end Inter had to put away eight penalties to clinch the trophy.
The Nerazzurri coach Mourinho said: "I feel that this trophy is mine, but I want to remind people I've won this because Roberto Mancini won last season's Scudetto. I want to send a word of thanks to him, who at the moment isn't doing what he loves - working in football. And that is a sin." Meanwhile, Mourinho welcomed Andriy Shevchenko's return to city rivals AC Milan with a typical toungue-in-cheek comment. He said: "I can't say I wish great things for him because Milan is a rival, but let's say I hope he becomes champion of the Uefa Cup." Shevchenko, 31, who returns to AC on loan after two disappointing years at Chelsea, said: "At this very special moment for me, I want to send a message to the Chelsea fans who have always made me feel their support."
* Agencies