Inter president Massimo Moratti has played down a disagreement with coach Roberto Mancini over tactics in Sunday's 2-1 derby defeat by Milan.

Moratti said earlier in the week that the Serie A leaders, who could have won the title with a victory, had been too cautious in the game. Mancini openly said he did not agree.

After the squad met the Pope ahead an Italian Cup semi-final second leg with Lazio in Rome, Moratti tried to calm the row.

"Many times a person feels obliged to reply to make clear their own position and unintentionally a situation of contrast is born," Moratti said.

"In reality we are pulling in the same direction. Also next season? Yes I think so."

Mancini's relationship with Moratti has been under scrutiny since the 43-year-old coach said in March he wanted to leave at the end of the season - only for Moratti to say the next day that Mancini had changed his mind.

Former Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho has been heavily linked with Inter, with Italian media unsure whether Mancini has totally changed his mind after the March outburst.

Moratti gave Pope Benedict an Inter jersey with "Benedict XVI" written in gold and also presented the pontiff with an almanac celebrating Inter's centenary this year.

"It has been more emotional than I thought. For us it is a great honour," Moratti said.

Reuters