Mourinho reason for Inter stay says Adriano

(GETTY IMAGES)

Brazil international Adriano’s agent insists his client only agreed to stay at Internazionale because of Jose Mourinho.

The 27-year-old had seemed certain to be heading out of the San Siro in last month’s transfer window after having several run-ins with the former Chelsea boss, mostly involving the striker’s weight problems.

However, after patching up their relationship, Adriano thanked Mourinho by scoring in Sunday’s vital victory against city rivals AC Milan.

The player’s agent, Gilmar Rinaldi, told Calciomercato.it: “Adriano has an excellent relationship with Mourinho and that is very important.

“If Mourinho weren't on the bench at Inter, there's no doubt he would have left.

“The way Adri moved against AC Milan reminded me of how he was three years ago. It wasn't the goal that was so important as much as the way he played.”

Meanwhile, Lazio striker Goran Pandev has no doubts that the club will soon start to rise up the table.

Saturday’s disappointing 1-1 draw with relegation-threatened Torino left Lazio 11th in the Serie A table and extended their winless sequence to six matches.

However, Pandev remains upbeat, saying: “For us and all Lazio fans, we are in a difficult period. But we are working to get out of this crisis. Actually, I am sure will we will get out of it soon.

“The group is only missing a victory. In the last game we wasted too many scoring opportunities and now a little bit of fear has crept in because we can’t win anymore.

“We are a united group, working very well with coach Rossi. There are no problems. A positive result on Sunday can change everything.

“We have too few points to get into the Uefa Cup, but we are in the semi-final of the Coppa Italia. We have to believe in ourselves.”