Italy coach Marcello Lippi has declared he only supports Italy as he continues the mind games with Jose Mourinho.

The Inter coach was peeved that Lippi showed favouritism against his team when he predicted Juventus will win the Scudetto.

And when Lippi was asked who he will back in Saturday's Serie A match between Lazio and Juventus, he had a surprising answer.

"Naturally, I'll be supporting Lazio," grinned Moratti ahead of Saturday's game. "At this point if Lippi supports Juventus, I can modestly allow myself to support Lazio for one game also because they are not playing against Italy, but against Juventus."

Lippi wasted no time in responding once again to the ‘provocation' from San Siro.

"I do not support anyone, I only cheer on Italy," said the Coach. "I simply replied to a question about my prediction.

"In the previous three campaigns I had picked Inter and was right. Maybe this time I'll be wrong..."

He also turned his attention to the World Cup campaign, as the 2-0 victory over Bulgaria on Wednesday night practically booked their spot in South Africa.

"A night like this was just what we needed. This Italy squad is capable of great performances. Important players like [Gianluigi] Buffon and [Fabio] Cannavaro had already noted that poor outings in the Confederations Cup had sapped the side of confidence.

"The performance against Bulgaria gives us back conviction in our qualities."

Italy will be qualified if they pick up a point against the Republic of Ireland in Dublin on October 10.