Inter goalkeeper Julio Cesar is backing fellow Brazilian Nelson Dida to bounce back to his best at AC Milan.

Julio Cesar said: "He's my friend, he is a great goalkeeper, won two Champions Leagues with Milan, has saved three penalties in a final. He is an absolute champion, I have learned so much from him when we were in the national team together.

"He is always working, he is a perfectionist. It is a shame that this has happened to him, but I think he will immediately bounce back."

Asked about Dida's slide, Julio Cesar added: "I do not know what happened, I cannot say."

It's been suggested the firecracker that hit him during the match again Inter has affected the Brazilian's form, but Julio Cesar says: "Everyone says this, but I think not."