Claudio Ranieri blames referee for defeat

Claudio Ranieri has blamed referee Gianluca Rocchi for his Inter Milan's side defeat to Napoli yesterday evening.

Goals from Hugo Campagnaro, Christian Maggio and Marek Hamsik sealed victory for visiting Napoli at the San Siro.

After the match, Ranieri, who was sent to the stands after making a verbal complaint to Rocchi, blasted the performance of the official.

"He ruined a potentially fascinating match and also our first-half performance," said the Inter boss.

"Complaining is not my forte, and I have only done so a few times in the past in 20 years, but I have enough experience to know whether a referee is having a good or bad day.

"The boys did not deserve to be punished in this way. I was sent off because I complained too much, but we are men and it is normal to be frustrated when you are penalised by the referee."

The loss is Ranieri's first since he took over the club last month.