Inter Milan skipper Javier Zanetti denies a rift with Andrea Stramaccioni.

Stramaccioni was sacked as Inter coach last month.

Zanetti said: "My relationship with him has always been honest, after my operation he came to visit me in hospital and told me that I am important for the team and wanted me at preseason even on crutches.

"He also came to the party for my restaurant, and this is enough of an answer. If someone sees that it is convenient to put certain items in the newspapers, claiming that we have a problem, I do not care.

"Why did he leave? Unfortunately he had a difficult year, we lost a lot of games. Strama began well with a winning run, then many components have seen that we did not qualify for Europe, so we are all responsible.

"He has paid as he was the Coach. I want to take this opportunity to thank him for all these years together, he encountered a lot of difficulties and has always acted like a professional."