Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini has defended benching Mauro Icardi for their 1-0 win over Genoa.
Adem Ljajic struck the winner for the Nerazzurri.
Mancini said: “I am the Coach of Inter, not of Icardi and Ljajic. We have many excellent forwards and they all deserve playing time. I do believe Icardi and Ljajic can play together, but there's a team to be considered and others who also deserve to play.
“Icardi knows if we are to get into the Champions League, then his goals will be crucial, but that doesn't mean he can't be on the bench occasionally.
“Our four forward players today did really well in the first half, running hard and giving no reference points to opposition defenders. The only thing we lacked before the break was a goal."
