Former Italy coach Dino Zoff says Marcello Lippi was wrong to make his predictions about Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan this week.

"That role means you are forced to use a certain diplomacy in these cases," said Euro 2000 tactician Zoff.

"I would certainly have avoided such a clear prediction on the Scudetto. Having said that, Mourinho's response was over the top.

"It remains a prediction and that cannot be offensive. Inter are already the reigning champions and must focus on winning it on the field."