Champions League round-up: Mourinho 'angry' after Inter loss
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Your support makes all the difference.Jose Mourinho lambasted his underperforming Internazionale players after they lost 1-0 at home to Panathinaikos last night but still progressed to the Champions League last 16.
Inter have been inconsistent since Mourinho took over from the sacked Roberto Mancini in the close season with the opening 2-0 win at Panathinaikos in Group B their only decent display in Europe this term.
"Panathinaikos's win is absolutely deserved. People may say they were lucky but I don't agree," Mourinho said. "After that performance we don't deserve to go through. We must be angry with ourselves."
Inter, who lead Serie A, still top the group and can make sure of first place with a win at Werder Bremen next month. However, they lacked tempo and creativity against the Greeks, who won thanks to Jose Sarriegi's second-half tap-in.
"I am sorry. For what the players have done in previous seasons, they deserve some leniency from the fans," Mourinho added. "We have qualified in the Champions League and are top of Serie A without luck so I hope the fans stay close to the team."
Panathinaikos now have an excellent chance of reaching the last 16 as they need only a draw in their final game against Anorthosis Famagusta. Anorthosis squandered a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 with Werder last night.
Elsewhere, Roma went top of Group A – Chelsea's group – with a 3-1 win at CFR Cluj and have nine points ahead of their final match at home to Bordeaux. Barcelona sealed top spot in Group C with a 5-2 away rout of also qualified Sporting while Shakhtar Donetsk secured a place in the Uefa Cup last 32 with a 5-0 home drubbing of Basel.
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