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Upset Mourinho: 'Nobody respects Ferrara'

(GSM) - Jose Mourinho's Internazionale reached the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia on Thursday night, knocking out Juventus: 2-1. Afterwards, the Portuguese manager backed under fire Juve coach Ciro Ferrara who is expected to be axed on Friday after a dismal run.

"We are men, we have families," said Mourinho to support his colleague. "It's not nice all this talk of every other coach.

"I don't like the atmosphere around him.

"Ferrara deserves respect. If the club decides to make a change, we know that is part of our job, but at least while we are still on the bench and working we deserve respect.

"Right now nobody is giving Ferrara respect. Nobody. But I respect him."

Juventus president Jean-Claude Blanc didn't exclude a dismissal of Ferrara. "We are very disappointed, as we have failed at another of our objectives for the season,” said Blanc after the match against Internazionale.

"Tomorrow (Friday) we will make a decision and when we have made it, we will let you know."

Ferrara remained calm as usual after another setback. "I have not been told of anything. I will be conducting Juventus training tomorrow, as per usual," Ferrara stated.

Juve goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon rued the Bianconeri's 'unlucky period'. "We wanted to win this evening, and did not deserve to lose," the Italy international said.

"But Inter also did not deserve to lose.

"Unfortunately, the team has been unlucky in this period, but we are trying to rectify this."

The 32-year-old goalie picked up a red card in last Saturday's match against Roma (1-2 loss) and will miss the game against Lazio this weekend.