Jose Mourinho has warned his league rivals that Inter Milan will be responding with a victory to the shock defeat to Napoli last week.

According to channelfour.com, Mourinho was not too worried about the defeat and instead told reporters that he expects 'a return to normal and for this team that means a victory'.

Inter's lead at the top of Serie A was cut to just seven points after Mourinho's men suffered a shock defeat away at Napoli.

Marcelo Zalayeta beat Inter goalkeeper Julio Cesar with a first-time shot from the edge of the box after 73 minutes to bring about Inter's third defeat of the season.

"This season we have never lost two consecutive games and after a defeat I have always seen a strong reaction," Mourinho was quoted as saying.

"For example, after our Champions League exit to Manchester United everybody expected us to run into huge problems that never materialised. They said the same after losses to Atalanta, Milan and Sampdoria.

"Normality for this team is to play its football and reach the prime objective, which is the Scudetto. There are five games to go and it won't be a problem for us getting there."

Dejan Stankovic and Mario Balotelli sit out bans, joining the injured Douglas Maicon, Nelson Rivas, Hernan Crespo, Victor Obinna and Francesco Bolzoni in the stands.

Sulley Ali Muntari has recovered and could start in midfield, while Davide Santon is the favourite to play at right-back.

Either Julio Cruz or Amantino Mancini are set to partner Zlatan Ibrahimovic upfront with support from Luis Figo.

"I expect Lazio to play with quality. They had a difficult moment in which they dropped a lot of points, but I really like this squad and many of its players," continued the Inter Coach.

"They have a great style of football and an excellent tactician. Perhaps their main focus for this season is the Coppa Italia Final that can qualify them for Europe, but they are honest and will want to play against us with pride.

"This is why I predict a very difficult game. Lazio will play for pride and for the three points, but we have those considerations and more. We are certainly very motivated."

Inter squad: Toldo, Julio Cesar, Orlandoni, Cordoba, Maxwell, Burdisso, Materazzi, Samuel, Chivu, Santon, Zanetti, Figo, Jimenez, Vieira, Cambiasso, Muntari, Mancini, Ibrahimovic, Cruz, Crespo.