Former AC Milan midfielder Massimo Ambrosini has condemned Romelu Lukaku and Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s conduct during last night’s Derby della Madonnina.

Just before the end of the first half in the Coppa Italia quarter-final at San Siro, which Inter won 2-1 thanks to a late free-kick from Christian Eriksen, there was a feisty exchange between the former Manchester United teammates who squared up to one another.

Things even continued after referee Paolo Valeri blew for half-time, with a clearly irate Lukaku having to be held back by teammates while Ibrahimovic went off the pitch.

“It can happen on the pitch that you lose control although this does not justify the behaviour,” Ambrosini told Sky Sport Italia last night.

Ibrahimovic reportedly told Lukaku to ‘go do your voodoo s***’, a reference to comments made by Everton owner Farsad Moshiri in January 2018 when Lukaku was playing for the Toffees.

The 39-year-old was forced to deny accusations he had made a racial slur, telling followers on Twitter today: “In Zlatan’s world there is no place for racism.”

Ambrosini, who spent 18 years with the Rossoneri, then reflected on the match itself and dismissed the idea that Stefano Pioli’s side will suffer psychologically due to the defeat.

“I don’t think AC Milan will suffer from an emotional point of view,” he assured.

“When it was 11 against 11 Inter played a good match,“Ciprian Tatarusanu made some good saves and AC Milan stayed in the game thanks to their defending.”

Ambrosini also encouraged Antonio Conte to keep faith with Eriksen, whose 97th-minute winner – his first goal for Inter this season – secured the Nerazzurri a date in the semi-finals with either Juventus or SPAL, who face off in Turin tonight.

“I would keep trying him, Inter have changed his position a lot, they are trying all of them.”