Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini defended his team selection for defeat to AC Milan.

Mauro Icardi was surprisingly left on the bench, while Eder was thrown straight into the starting XI with Stevan Jovetic.

On dropping Icardi, he stated: “Because I decided to play Jovetic. He could give few reference points and allow Eder to attack behind him, which they did for the first half-hour.

“We've changed between 4-2-3-1 and 4-3-3, so it's not a huge difference. These are the same players who were top of the table for the entire first half of the season and did really well.

“We are disappointed at this moment, but these are our players and by rolling our sleeves up we'll emerge from it.

“I am sure we'll get out of this all together. I have nothing to reproach my players tonight, as until the second goal we were right in the game. If there is any blame, it is mine."