Luigi Delneri has played down reports that he substituted Antonio Cassano at half time of Roma’s match with Cagliari, as a result of a row with the player.

Delneri replaced Cassano withVincenzo Montella in the 5-1 win, amid rumours that he had rowed with the Italian international.

After the match Delneri denied there had been a bust-up between the two.

“It was a normal talk,” Delneri asserted.

“I have no problems in replacing Cassano during the match or at the end of the first half.

“Evidently a normal talk in the dressing room has been exaggerated.”