Jose Mourinho in his elements ahead of Milan derby

Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho could not resist a dig at Italy coach Marcello Lippi ahead of today's crucial derby against AC Milan at the San Siro.

A storm has been brewing this week after Lippi chose to visit Juventus and Milan but not Inter.

Those inside the halls at the champions have accused the national team coach of bias towards the other two big sides in Italy while Lippi himself claimed there weren't enough Italians at Inter to warrant a trip.

But Mourinho suggested on Saturday there was another reason the club's former coach did not return.

"Maybe Lippi didn't come back here because he wasn't happy at Inter," said Mourinho slyly.

"It's not a problem for me but who knows, coming back here reminds him of a period of his career that didn't go well."