Rivaldo was left out of Milan’s 2-1 Coppa Italia win against Perugia, but the club’s Vice- president Adriano Galliani denied that the Brazilian and coach Carlo Ancelotti had fallen out.

The Italian giants released a statement saying: “the Brazilian Champion worked in the gym and underwent physiotherapy after suffering a knock on his knee during Sunday’s training session.”

Galliani, reinforced the message, saying: “Rivaldo didn’t feature against Perugia because he has a minor injury.

‘Journalists simply write certain things to fill the papers. There are no problems with him.”

Milan won the game through goals from Dane John Dahl Tomasson and defender Alessandro Nesta. The goal was Nesta’s first since signing from Lazio.