MILAN - José Mourinho analysed his team's 1-1 draw with Cagliari in a post-match interview with Sky Sport Italia.

Explaining his tactical decisions, Mourinho said: "I knew Cagliari played with a diamond midfield. I knew how important Conti and Cossu were for their system of play. I didn't like the way we played, except for the first fifteen minutes of the second half. I think the result is the right result in terms of the work the two teams did.

"We've had problems against the so-called small clubs, who have great intensity and velocity. Many people might think that these are two points lost, but I want to think that this is a point. I'm not looking for excuses, the team has to return to the level we know it can play at, and we have to deal with the absences.

"I can't say we played a bad match today. I have tried to give Inter balance since I have been here, and this is what has affected our performances in recent matches. We didn't have Stankovic in Siena, we didn't have Maicon today and Muntari will miss the match in Bergamo. It's inevitable that with many changes we lose in terms of balance and quality."

Cagliari took the lead through Acquafresca, a player owned by Inter. "He's a good player," said Mourinho. "He scored a great goal and he showed he's a great professional because he completely forgot that he was playing against the team that will be his next team.

"Balotelli? He's a good lad but I don't like the way he worked this week. He didn't have the right attitude. When you're young you need to be focused. It would be a great shame if he lost the chance to play, but as a coach I have to choose the most in-form players."