Figo refutes rumours of Mancini rift

Portuguese denies refusing substitute role against Liverpool

Luis Figo has denied reports that he refused to enter the field during Inter’s Champions League match with Liverpool at the San Siro last week.

The Nerazurri crashed to a 3-0 aggregate defeat in the last-16 stage of the competition, and the day following the match Italian press reports claimed that Portuguese winger Figo had snubbed manager Roberto Mancini’s order to come on as a second-half substitute.

However, after helping his side to a 2-1 victory over Palermo on Sunday, Figo rejected the validity of the stories and insisted there were no problems between himself and Mancini, who has recently suggested he will leave his post at the end of the campaign.

“I have never had any problems with the coach. I’m here to win and this is the most important thing,” said Figo. “Of course you’re not happy when you lose. People always look for a scapegoat after you get knocked out of the Champions League, but it’s not me.

“I’m here to help the team do its best. I didn’t refuse to come on against Liverpool. Just because you journalists reported it, it doesn’t mean it’s true. I have never refused to come on, even for five minutes.”

Crucial win

The win against Palermo was made even more important after second place Roma beat Milan on Saturday evening, briefly closing the champions’ lead at the top of Serie A to just three points and putting pressure on the leaders to snap out of their recent poor form.

“It’s always important to win. It was important for us to get a win today after Roma’s result last night. I think the team played very well today,” Figo admitted.

“We always want to do our best, but unfortunately it’s not always possible to play ninety minutes at the same tempo. A positive result is even more valuable after a defeat. Today the team showed all its desire to get to the finishing post.

“The most important thing now is to win the Scudetto. There are no problems. We are all working together to reach our goal.”