Diego Forlan has rejected reports that he refused to come off the bench during Inter’s 0-0 draw with Atalanta.

“The Coach has explained what went on,” the 32-year-old Uruguayan international stated. “I have never refused to come on and I never will.

Diego Forlan has rejected reports that he refused to come off the bench during Inter’s 0-0 draw with Atalanta.

“The Coach has explained what went on,” the 32-year-old Uruguayan international stated. “I have never refused to come on and I never will.

“As you know, I've always played up front, but I'm always at the service of the team and what I enjoy most is playing.

“The media put a negative spin on what happened – even though Ranieri explained it.”

The tactician is understood to have asked Forlan on his thoughts about coming on as a left-sided midfielder at San Siro.

“He did not refuse to come on,” assured Ranieri after the tie. “I simply asked if he was prepared to do this specific tactical work on the left?

“He replied with great honesty: ‘No, Coach, if I do have to come on then I prefer to do it playing in another way.’ So I opted not to introduce him, as I needed something else.”

Forlan, a summer signing from Atletico Madrid, has had a poor first campaign in Italian football.

In an injury affected season, he has scored just two League goals in 14 appearances, but he insists his future is at the club.

“I've got a contract with Inter, this has been a difficult season for me, I’ve had several injuries but now we need to keep working. And, as I've said, I've got nothing against Ranieri.”

Forlan’s ‘refusal’ was criticised by Inter legend Sandro Mazzola on Monday.

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