SOCCER: MOURINHO BLASTS BALOTELLI

SOCCER: MOURINHO BLASTS BALOTELLI

(ANSA) - Rome, November 9 - Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho blasted Mario Balotelli after the youngster's apparently listless display in a 1-1 draw against Roma that allowed Juventus, 5-2 winners at Atalanta, to close the gap at the top of Serie A to five points.

"He played close to zero, he should have done more" Mourinho said.

"He tried a few moves and then stood there for ten minutes waiting for the ball".

Mourinho said he had tried various ways to get the best out of the mercurial Italy Under-20 striker but was at his wit's end.

"I've been sweet, I've been agressive. I've been close, distant".

"I just don't know what to do any more".

"I need help".

Inter are on 29 points from 12 games with Juve on 24 and a resurgent AC Milan third on 22 after a 2-1 win at Lazio.

Milan coach Leonardo said the Rossoneri had played their way into the title mix after being 11th just five games ago.

"This team's going to try for the scudetto," he said.

Serie A is off next weekend because of Italy's friendlies against Netherlands on Saturday and Sweden the following Wednesday.

After the break, Inter goes to 15th-placed Bologna, Juventus hosts 14th-placed Udinese, and Milan plays 8th-placed Cagliari.