Mourinho accepts Inter's fate

(GETTY IMAGES)

Internazionale coach Jose Mourinho admitted that his side deserve a tough draw in the last 16 of the Champions League following a disappointing Group B campaign.

Mourinho's side lost their last two games in the group stages to finish second behind Panathinaikos, with the Portuguese now fearing a tough tie in the first knockout round.

He said: “I think that by finishing this group with eight points, we fully deserve to face one of the strongest sides in the next round.

“In Serie A we are focused, concentrated, strong and hungry.

“After our qualification campaign, we deserve to face Barcelona, Manchester United or a side of that calibre. We got ourselves in this situation.”

The agent of Udinese striker Antonio Di Natale has dismissed rumours linking his client with a move to Manchester City.

The 31-year-old Italy international is under contract with Udine until the summer of 2013, but that has not stopped reports in Italy suggesting that Bruno Carpeggiani had been in England to broker a deal for his client.

However, Carpeggiani commented: “I have been to England, but that was with my family for personal reasons.

“All the stories are false and the people who wrote them will have to admit that.

“There are absolutely no grounds to the speculation. Di Natale extended his contract with Udinese and there has been no contact with any other club.”

Di Natale moved to the Friuli from Empoli in the summer of 2004 and has scored 55 goals in just over 150 appearances for the Serie A club to date.

Meanwhile, AC Milan's midfield hardman Gennaro Gattuso faces a lengthy spell out of action after suffering a serious knee injury in the 1-0 weekend win at home to Catania.

The 30-year-old Italy international lasted the full 90 minutes in the San Siro, but subsequent tests have revealed a major problem.

A statement on the club's official website confirmed: “AC Milan would like to communicate that Gennaro Gattuso has undergone a scan following the injury he sustained against Catania.

“The results of the tests have revealed an injury to his anterior cruciate ligament.

“Gattuso was accompanied by Milan club doctor Jean Pierre Meersseman and he will undergo further tests on Wednesday.