Inter Milan GM Beppe Marotta insists they're worthy winter champions.

However, Marotta is also dismissive when it's put to him their Serie A leadership is thanks to his work.

He said: "I don't want to cause controversy by commenting on these specious statements. Far from thinking that Inter is conditioned by favoritism, I return these statements to the sender.

"The work is done by a team that has a strong board behind it. We are deservedly first: being winter champions, however, is like a Pyrrhic victory. It will count to be first in May. Now we deservedly are. It seems to me that yesterday too there were other refereeing errors for other teams.

"I have been in football for more than 40 years and every year we talk about favours for this or that club. There is also controversy with VAR. Its part of the game. Today we are the hare and the hare must be able to dodge the hunters' shots."