Roma coach Claudio Ranieri has taken a swipe at fellow former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho.

Inter Milan coach Mourinho criticised Roma for "crying" about their financial troubles and yet refusing to sell their star players.

"I understand that Mourinho has never found himself in these situations. It's too easy to go from Abramovich to Moratti," smiled Ranieri.

"He is just trying to fire up his team, as they had been relaxed for a long time and are now going into an important couple of games.

"By stirring up controversy he is raising the concentration levels of his players. You've got to give him credit, he's very good at that."