Genoa coach Gian Piero Gasperini made sure he took full advantage of Jose Mourinho’s self-imposed gagging order by gleefully putting the boot in to the Inter coach.

Gasperini watched as his side denied the Nerazzurri the chance to extend their lead at the top of Serie A to six points by shutting out Mourinho’s side to play out a 0-0 draw. And the Genoa coach, delighted after the champions drew blank against his boys - the second consecutive 0-0 home draw for Inter, added insult to injury by claiming Mourinho’s touchline absence is hurting Milan’s men.

The Portuguese continues to serve a three-match touchline ban, imposed after he made handcuff gestures to match officials during a game with Sampdoria two weeks ago, and Gasperini said: “I believe Mourinho’s absence was decisive in this game.”

Despite deploying a three-pronged attacking force of Mario Balotelli, Goran Pandev and Diego Milito, Inter were unable to break down a stubborn Genoa side, and Mourinho was so unimpressed that he charged out of his seat in the stands to get as close as possible to the pitch to bark orders.

The draw means Inter failed to take advantage of closest rivals AC Milan drawing against Roma the day before, but means they still have a four-point lead at the top.

Mourinho is still refusing to talk to the media during his touchline ban, but Inter director Marco Branca blamed fatigue from midweek international duty for the stalemate.

“The point earned should be read within the context of the many international players who were used in friendlies midweek,” Branca said. “Many of them played from the start for their countries and therefore came back rather tired.”