Sampdoria coach Gigi Del Neri has paid tribute to Inter coach Jose Mourinho and admits the Portuguese is "The Special One".

Mourinho has been successful during his spells at Porto and Chelsea and looks poised to bring similar success to Inter as well.

"Jose has won almost everything in his career," said Del Neri ahead of Sampdoria's clash against Inter at the San Siro.

"I think that he deserves respect for this reason. In football, I am not a nobody. I am simply one of 20 Coaches in Serie A.

"There are many Coaches better than me who train teams in inferior competitions. In order to do it you need ability, luck and competence."

Asked if his side could repeat the victory they achieved over Inter earlier in the season, Del Neri replied: "Maybe that only happened because we met them in a particular moment, perhaps when they weren't in a good condition.

"Otherwise when both sides are at full strength, a difference exists."