Jose Mourinho is unhappy with Inter Milan's defending after the Italian champions shipped three goals against Sampdoria.

Inter fielded a second-string side in the 1st leg of the Coppa Italia and were let down by suspect defending, mostly from Nelson Rivas.

Mourinho instead chose to defend Rivas although he substituted the defender at half-time.

“We started the game easily and under control, once again conceded a ridiculous goal, then from a set play that we ought to know how to defend against and yet another ridiculous goal,” he said of the 3-0 defeat.

Mourinho adopted an experimental three-man defence, but after poor first half displays against Manchester United and Roma, they again played badly in the opening 45 minutes.

The Nerazzurri have probably the best overall squad in Serie A, but the Coach conceded the first choice XI is a very different prospect to the second string side.

“Defensively we are giving too much away and aiding our opponents. I had to rest some players, as these lads cannot play every single game in each competition.

“A player who doesn't get much space has to make the most of those chances as an important event for himself as well as the team.”

Rivas had given away the opening goal for Antonio Cassano, then he left Giampaolo Pazzini unmarked for a second.

The Colombian was dropped from the squad entirely after his last poor display against United, but Mourinho took a less hard line view this time.

“Rivas didn't do well, he knows that and we all do. I don't think it is right to focus on him, as there were 11 players on the field and a Coach on the bench, so we all lose and win together.”

Inter were unable to claw a goal back even after Daniele Gastaldello was sent off on the hour mark, so they need a crushing victory at San Siro on April 21.

“It leaves the semi-final in a difficult position for us, but we have the second leg and will try to turn it around.”

Mourinho was deferred to the Disciplinary Commission this evening for his statements about referees and Juventus, but when asked about this issue the Coach stormed out of the interview.