..::Football III::..

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Catania 4-1 Roma: Sicilians decide Scudetto race

Roma handed the Serie A title to Juventus after they fell to a shock 4-1 defeat to Catania on Sunday.

Mariano Julio Izco netted twice before Francesco Totti pegged one back before the break, but goals from Gonzalo Bergessio and Pablo Barrientos in the second half saw the hosts emerge victorious.

Catania started the match the better side and threatened a number of times through Bergessio before Izco eventually gave them the lead halfway through the first half. Sebastian Leto set up the Argentine midfielder and he beat Morgan De Sanctis
with a fine finish.

The hosts continued to dominate after the opener and once more Izco doubled the Sicilians' lead shortly after following some good work from Leto and Bergessio.

Roma refused to give up, though, and pegged one back before the interval. Daniele De Rossi set up Alessandro Florenzi, who reached the unmarked Totti and the experienced attacker had no trouble finding the net from close range.

Bergessio could have made it three shortly after half-time after Izco robbed Miralem Pjanic of the ball, but he failed to get his shot on target.

Nevertheless, Bergessio did get his goal after all in the 56th minute when he tapped home a rebound after De Sanctis was unable to adequately deal with Leto's shot.

Michel Bastos nearly made it 3-2 halfway through the second half with a powerful long range strike, but Alberto Frison pushed the Brazilian's shot wide for a corner.
Bergessio then turned provider for Barrientos with 10 minutes to go and the 29-year-old showed his class with a superb shot from outside the area to make it 4-1.
Sunday's victory sees Catania move into 19th place with 26 points from 36 games, while Roma know they will now have to settle for second spot after surrendering their title challenge.

 

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Arsenal 1-0 West Brom: Giroud header enough for Gunners

Olivier Giroud's 16th Premier League goal of the season sealed a 1-0 victory for Arsenal over West Brom at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

The Frenchman met Santi Cazorla's left-wing corner with a powerful downward header in the 14th minute, ensuring Arsene Wenger's men picked up their fourth league win in a row.

Everton's 3-2 reverse to Manchester City on Saturday meant Arsenal were already assured of a Champions League berth for a 17th successive campaign, with the FA Cup final against Hull City on May 17 now their main focus.

West Brom, meanwhile, went into the game knowing they had likely done enough to secure safety, with 18th-placed Norwich City facing two difficult fixtures, and there was little intensity on show in a low-key affair.

Lukas Podolski did strike the post for Arsenal in the second half, but one goal proved enough as West Brom struggled to carve out opportunities.

Arsenal went in front just before the quarter-hour mark thanks to Giroud's firm header.

After Cazorla had seen his shot deflected over the bar by Youssouf Mulumbu, the Spaniard curled the resulting corner in from the left and Giroud got the better of Craig Dawson to plant a well-directed header into the net from six yards.

Graham Dorrans stung the palms of Wojciech Szczesny with a rasping drive in the 32nd minute, while Saido Berahino blasted a shot narrowly over a minute later.

The hosts' response was immediate, Cazorla bringing a smart save out of Ben Foster after running onto Podolski's cut-back.

Mathieu Flamini, back in the side in place of the rested Aaron Ramsey, hit a tame effort straight at Foster from the edge of the box as Arsenal ended the first period in the ascendancy.

In a quiet second half, Dawson headed over the bar from a corner in the 72nd minute before dragging a speculative effort well wide of goal from 30 yards shortly afterwards.

Mesut Ozil, quiet for much of the match, stabbed narrowly wide of goal after getting on the end of Giroud's flick as Arsenal looked to put the game to bed.

Podolski's mis-hit shot then rebounded back off the post and into the arms of a grateful Foster, but it mattered little.

While Arsenal's title hopes faded some time ago, the club can at least take some consolation from reaching their highest Premier League points tally since the 2007-08 season.

 

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Juventus crowned Serie A champions

Juventus are champions of Italy once more after Roma's shock defeat to Catania on Sunday secured a third successive Scudetto.

Rudi Garcia's men lost 4-1 to the bottom of the table Sicilian outfit, leaving Juve with an unassailable eight-point lead with only two matches remaining for the Giallorossi.

Mariano Isco scored twice in the first half, with Gonzalo Bergessio and Pablo Barrientos finishing off the rout for the Elefanti as the capital side meekly handed Juve a 30th official Italian league title.

The championship success marks the second time in the club's history that they have strung together consecutive domestic crowns in three or more campaigns.

Despite Roma's 10-match winning run to begin the season, Juve have led the way for much of the term, losing only two games in the league at Fiorentina and Napoli.

Having amassed 93 points in their 35 games so far, the Old Lady remain confident of breaking the Italian record of 97, set by Inter in 2006-07. They have, though, suffered the recent setback of elimination from the Europa League, losing 2-1 on aggregate to Benfica in the semi-final after last Thursday's 0-0 second-leg draw.

But now Juventus are celebrating an Italian league title win for the 32nd time, although two of those successes were officially stripped from the club in the wake of the 2006 Calciopoli scandal.

 

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Congratulations Juventus!

Roma defeat 1kath 1kkama Serie A title 1ka Juventus lata​

 

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I didn't invite Remy to game - Wenger

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger denies that striker Loic Remy attended his side's 1-0 win over West Brom at his invitation as speculation grows that the Gunners could move for the forward.

The Newcastle star, on loan from QPR and widely expected to move on in the summer, watched from the stands as the north Londoners played their last home match of the season.

"Honestly, I've just been informed that Loic Remy was here and I didn't know," Wenger told reporters after the game.

"So don't see any sign of us signing Remy [from that]. I hope he paid his ticket! I did not invite him."

The Gunners faithful were vociferous throughout the game in their desire for right-back Bacary Sagna to sign a new contract, with the 31-year-old set to leave the club in the summer, and the boss agreed that he would like him to remain at the Emirates Stadium.

"I want him to stay," he repeated. "There are two players at the end of their contracts, Sagna and [Lukasz] Fabianski. If it's down to me, they both stay."

Asked if it might have been his final home game in charge of the club, Wenger replied adamantly: "No, no. Don't be impatient; my last game will come. Don't worry.

"Yes, [I will be here next season]. I have told you many times, my word is my word," he added, also noting that his delay in signing a new contract had nothing to do with waiting until after the FA Cup final.

With Arsenal's top-four place guaranteed before the game, Wenger reflected on the failure of their challenge for the Premier League title.

"I am happy with the attitude, behaviour and consistency of my players and frustrated, as well, because we had 120 days at the top of the league. When you look at it today, it's very tight - and then it comes into your mind, the points you dropped.

"We had injures - three or four players who missed too many games - and, in some games, at the start away from home, we were caught by surprise. We were perhaps too cautious and not confident enough. We paid a heavy price for it."

 

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Juventus want to pass 100 point mark - Chiellini

Giorgio Chiellini says Juventus are determined to create more history by surpassing the 100-point mark after winning a third straight Serie A title on Sunday.

The Bianconeri face Atalanta on Monday night but retained their league crown without kicking a ball thanks to Roma's shock 4-1 defeat to Catania.


Should Juve win all of their remaining three games they will end the season on 102 points, surpassing the current record of 97 set by Inter in 2007.Chiellini told Mediaset Premium: "We've done amazingly well. We aim to exceed 100 points and get into the history of Italian football.

"We must thank Roma who forced us to give more than 100%. This third title is the reward for the years where we did not win anything.

"This group is growing and we want to write new pages in the history of this club."

 

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We all made mistakes - Garcia

Rudi Garcia admitted there was a "difference in motivation" after Roma's surprise 4-1 defeat to relegation strugglers Catania handed Juventus the Serie A title.
Francesco Totti pulled a goal back after Mariano Julio Izco struck twice in the early stages, but in the second half Gonzalo Bergessio and Pablo Barrientos rounded off a stunning victory.

The result means leaders Juve have secured a third straight league success and Garcia said everyone at the club had to take responsibility for a disappointing afternoon.

He told reporters after the game: "We all made mistakes today, myself and the players. There was a difference in motivation."This defeat doesn’t cancel out the great season we’ve had, but we have to end it differently. We’ll work hard after this loss. There’s a big game on Sunday against Juve and we can’t make any more mistakes."

Roma captain Francesco Totti then called upon his team-mates to use their promising campaign as a building block for success next season.

"I hope this season is a good sign regarding the future. Our work on the field has spoken for us. We can do big things."

 

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Robben attacks media reaction

Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robben feels too much has been made of their Champions League semi-final defeat to Real Madrid .

The reigning European champions were sent crashing out of the competition 5-0 on aggregate, with Pep Guardiola's tactics called into question as a result of their 4-0 hammering in the second leg of their last four tie.

Having wrapped up the Bundesliga in record time, Guardiola's men remain on course for a league and cup double, with Borussia Dortmund their opponents in the DFB-Pokal final.Robben feels criticism over Bayern's recent form is over the top and believes they can cap their season with a successful defence of their Pokal title.

"After the 4-0 (second-leg) defeat to Real, everything was put into question," he told the Bundesliga website."We were the best team in the world for the entire season, then we lose a match and suddenly everything's going wrong. In my opinion, people read too much into that defeat.

"We've been through so much as a team. We've had our fair share of disappointments, but we've also had plenty of fantastic moments. The most important thing in these situations is to stick together, remain positive and keep going."Robben also stated that a victory in the Pokal final would go some way to making up for their European exit.

"Definitely, we've already had a great season as it is," he added.
"I think our fans and all the experts agree."

 

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Zidane: Ronaldo the best I ever played with

Zinedine Zidane says former Brazil star Ronaldo is the best player he ever played with.

Real Madrid's assistant coach played alongside the former Inter, Barcelona and Blancos striker during his playing days at the Santiago Bernabeu, with the pair part of the same Madrid side who lifted La Liga back in 2003.

In a programme broadcast on French television station Telefoot, Zidane was joined by Roberto Carlos and current Real striker Karim Benzema in showering Ronaldo with praise as they looked back on his glorious career.“The best striker, the best player I’ve ever played with," Zidane said.

Benzema added: "He is the best striker of all-time. He knows everything, dribbling, scoring… you have to be inspired by such players. He made me dream and will always make me dream.”

Carlos, a former club and international team-mate of Ronaldo's, concluded by revealing how the 37-year-old changed the art of forward play forever.

"Ronaldo is as important as the president. Before him, we only had penalty box strikers, but when Ronaldo got the ball, he dribbled and scored. He did one versus one, delivered crosses and knew how to finish off opportunities. That is why he was called 'Fenomeno'."

 

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Rodgers: I was right to criticise Mourinho

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has no regrets over criticising Jose Mourinho after his side's loss to Chelsea.

A 2-0 loss at Anfield on April 27 dealt a huge blow to the Reds' Premier League chances, with Mourinho criticised for his team's negative style.Rodgers, who has since congratulated his Portuguese counterpart for the win, said he was right to slam Chelsea's defensive approach.

"I was a bit frustrated but I don't regret what I said," the Northern Irishman told reporters. "I am big enough to respect the man Jose is and the manager he is.
"He is a great man, I know that. It was never personal; it was a professional look at the game.

"I am never one to say that my way is always the best way. I have a huge appreciation for the way he works and his team. But I still think what I said was right. I knew exactly what I was saying."Liverpool were also criticised after the loss for lacking a 'plan B' as their possession-based style rarely looked like breaking Chelsea down.

But Rodgers insists he remains confident in his team's footballing philosophy."I get the stuff about having a plan B or a plan C all the time but if people think we need to get a six-foot five-inch striker then they are wrong," he added.

"It is clear to me that my methods work. On any given day, sometimes it doesn't.
"I have said that if we don't win the title this season it will be because of a mistake or a bit of bad luck – and that's what happened against Chelsea.

"But the message I gave to the players was not to grieve over the result, because that's what can happen.

"We've scored 96 goals so far this season, so I think we are doing okay when it comes to creativity."

 

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Giggs hints at Manchester United exit

Ryan Giggs has suggested he may have to leave Manchester United in order to further his managerial career.

The 40-year-old is currently in interim charge at Old Trafford following David Moyes' sacking last month. He won his first match 4-0 over Norwich City but lost to Sunderland at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Louis van Gaal has agreed to take over at the end of the season, with Giggs's involvement as player or coach uncertain - and the veteran has conceded may have to leave the club to prepare himself for a future top job.

"I can only play for United. It's black and white, and it's not about money," he told reporters.

"I've been extremely lucky in that I have only ever worked at United, but I am still a young man in relative terms in management.

"I could have another 20 to 25 years in the game – and it might not all be spent at United. If I went elsewhere it would be strange, but I can see myself doing that.

"The association I have with United will always be special – if I have to do it I'll do it, but how it will feel I don't know."

Giggs has enjoyed a glittering playing career, including 13 Premier League titles, four FA Cups and two Champions League crowns, and could make his final appearance playing at Old Trafford against Hull on Tuesday.

"It might dawn on me on Monday or Tuesday. Then I might have to put myself on the bench," he said.

"The perfect scenario would be me coming on and scoring but football doesn't work like that."

 

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Giggs Manchester United walin giye nathnam hodaiAduma gane coaching staff 1ke hari aniwa inna ona kenek​

 

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Levante 2-0 Atletico Madrid: Shock Atleti defeat sets up thrilling La Liga finish

A Filipe Luis own goal and David Barral's second half strike saw Levante stun Atletico Madrid 2-0 on Sunday and set up a thrilling finish to the La Liga season.

With Barcelona only able to draw with Getafe on Saturday, Diego Simeone's had the chance to open up a six-point lead at the top of the table, but saw their winless run at Levante extended to six.

After going six games in all competitions without conceding a goal, Atletico found themselves behind early on when Filipe Luis diverted a corner into his own net.
The visitors pushed for an equaliser but found a resolute home side in their way, as goalkeeper Keylor Navas pulled off a string of fine saves.And David Barral popped up to double the hosts' lead and blow the title race wide open.

Real Madrid now appear favourites for the title - a 33rd Liga crown will be confirmed if Carlo Ancelotti's men win their remaining games and Atletico fail to pick up three points at Barca on the final day, with the Catalan giants also still in with a shout.The game was only seven minutes old when the hosts took the lead through the unfortunate Filipe.

Papakouli Diop swung a corner in from the right, which was missed by a group of Atletico defenders at the front post and inadvertently turned home by the Brazil international's chest.

Atletico should have been level in the 14th minute only for Raul Garcia to see his close-range shot saved by Navas and David Villa sky the rebound over the crossbar.

Mohamed Sissoko and Diego Costa were perhaps lucky to stay on the pitch just after the half-hour when they clashed, referee Jose Gonzalez taking no action despite the Atletico forward appearing to push his head into the Mali international.

Navas was called into action once more before the break, saving Toby Alderweireld's low shot at his near post and Simeone introduced Adrian Lopez and Arda Turan at the break in the search of goals.The pair made a swift impact on the game, with Adrian seeing a shot blocked before the Turkey international headed another effort over.

Atletico's frustration continued to build and only excellent defending from Loukas Vyntra denied Filipe from making amends just after the hour.

Costa was next to go close but he was unable to divert a Diego cross on goal, and moments later Alderweireld saw Navas claw another long-range effort out.After such resilient defending, the hosts broke on the counter-attack and doubled their lead as Victor found Barral, who held off a challenge and fired low past Thibaut Courtois.When Adrian was able to beat Navas with 13 minutes remaining, he too was left frustrated as the ball clipped the post on its way wide.

Simeone's side looked to have ran out of ideas and they were unable to muster any further openings, as Levante mathematically secured their top-flight status and provided a huge boost to Atletico's title rivals.

 

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Atletico Madrid defeat 1kath 1kkama La Liga Title race 1ke best advantage 1ka thiyenne Real Madrid lata
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[Pubudith]

 

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Real Madrid 2-2 Valencia: Ronaldo magic keeps Los Blancos in title race

Real Madrid failed to capitalise on slip-ups by their rivals as Valencia applied further drama to La Liga’s title race with a 2-2 draw in the Santiago Bernabeu.

Following Barcelona’s draw with Getafe on Saturday and a 2-0 defeat for leaders Atletico Madrid at Levante earlier on Sunday, Carlo Ancelotti’s team looked in pole position for the title.

But Valencia had not read that script and goals from Jeremy Mathieu and former Real youth product Daniel Parejo either side of Sergio Ramos’ equaliser looked to have handed Juan Antonio Pizzi’s side a famous triumph.Visiting goalkeeper Diego Alves was magnificent throughout, routinely thwarting Cristiano Ronaldo, but the Portuguese finally got the better of him in stoppage time to earn a point.

Despite rescuing a draw, it is Real's local rivals Atletico who appear best-placed. Victory in their final two matches - including the much-anticipated season-ending encounter with Barca at Camp Nou - will hand them the title.

For Valencia, the performance provided a tonic to Thursday's last-gasp Europa League semi-final elimination at the hands of Sevilla.Ancelotti’s men quickly hit their stride, Ronaldo beginning his game-long duel with Alves as early as the third minute.

As Madrid failed to build on their start, Parejo found himself unmarked on the end of Sofiane Feghouli's wonderful right-wing cross 16 minutes in, but Diego Lopez tipped his header onto the crossbar.

It was Alves' turn to impress again after 26 minutes as Ronaldo stormed past Ricardo Costa, only to see his strike palmed around the post.

Valencia served further warning of their intentions when Paco Alcacer failed to get a decisive touch on Eduardo Vargas' low cross and, after Alves thwarted Ronaldo once more, they claimed a 44th-minute advantage.

Lopez was at full stretch in touching Feghouli's strike over the bar but erred by staying on his line from the resulting corner and Mathieu scored, the ball ultimately finding the net via his shoulder.Ancelotti sent Angel di Maria on at the interval and the Argentina midfielder's energy immediately boosted the hosts.

After saving from Di Maria, Alves again kept out Ronaldo but, after Raphael Varane spurned a set-piece chance, Real’s pressure finally told.Ramos was still up from an earlier attack and enjoyed a tap-in when Ronaldo headed across goal in the 59th minute - netting for the fourth time in Real's last three outings.

With the game seemingly at their mercy, Real allowed the action to drift and, following a scrappy passage of play, Valencia poured forwards, Parejo steering clinically into the corner from Feghouli's pass.

Ronaldo sought an instant response from close range but Alves again excelled, and he tormented the Ballon d'Or winner with another stellar stop from a trademark free-kick.The Portugal captain's frustrations appeared to have gotten the better of him in the last 10 minutes as he sent a free header wide and had a penalty claim rejected.

But Real's talisman salvaged a point in stoppage time. Ronaldo produced a moment of genius with a remarkable back-heel volley from Di Maria's cross, though he should have secured a stunning triumph even deeper into injury time, heading wide to keep Ancelotti's men second-best in the title race.

 

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AC Milan 1-0 Inter: De Jong the difference in dull derby

Nigel de Jong grabbed the only goal of the game as AC Milan bettered bitter rivals Inter to create a rare bright spot in their forgettable Serie A campaign.

On a day when Juventus completed a title defence in which they have barely passed a glancing look in the direction of their traditional foes, the Milan-based sides illustrated why they have not challenged for a Champions League place, let alone the Scudetto, in a contest lacking quality.

Indeed, while the fixture historically bears huge significance at the top of the table, the main factor surrounding this encounter was its impact on Milan's hopes of qualifying for the Europa League.

Although Europe's secondary competition hardly seems befitting of a club of Milan's stature, Clarence Seedorf’s men did at least bolster their hopes and they are now just a point behind sixth place.

De Jong was the hero, powerfully heading home a fine free-kick from Mario Balotelli, for whom the assist will have been extra sweet given it came against his former club.Inter did at least show some added fight after going behind, but Milan held on the claim just a second win in the last seven derbies.

The tone was immediately set as Walter Samuel dived into a crunching challenge on former team-mate Balotelli.That was to prove one of the few memorable moments during the opening exchanges, however, as both sides struggled for fluency.

As if to illustrate the sloppy nature of the contest, one of the few pieces of ingenuity - a fine Adel Taarabt throughball - was completely wasted when Mattia De Sciglio hit a shot tamely into the side-netting.

That effort was in stark contrast to the one produced by Kaka when the next good opening arrived.The Brazilian ran on to a searching long ball from De Jong, who had just dispossessed Jonathan in unsurprisingly robust fashion, before unleashing a superb half-volley that rattled against the crossbar.

It was Inter who created the first opportunity of the second period, although Mauro Icardi could only mis-hit a clever, pulled-back corner over the crossbar.
A set-piece almost proved crucial at the other end, too, as Philippe Mexes headed Kaka's curling centre just wide.Inter paid for not heeding that warning as De Jong powerfully headed Balotelli’s wonderful delivery home with 65 minutes gone.

Suddenly awakened, Inter pressed forward immediately and were almost rewarded when Hernanes just missed the target.Balotelli saw late attempts to cap his solid performance with a goal thwarted, yet it mattered little as the hosts held on for the victory.

The Nerazzurri, by contrast, offered little in the closing stages - with Javier Zanetti in particular left to reflect on a disappointing finale, as he was denied what would have been a farewell derby appearance by failing to get the call from the bench.

 

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Marcelo: Valencia draw nothing to do with the Champions League

Marcelo insists Real Madrid's 2-2 draw with Valencia was not a result of them being tired from their midweek Champions League exploits.

Los Blancos scraped a draw against their league rivals in the Santiago Bernabeu thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo's injury time backheel just five days after they beat Bayern Munich 4-0 in the Champions League semi-final.However, the Brazilian says the draw was not down to fatigue from Tuesday's game.

"It had nothing to do with being tired from the Champions League," he said.
"We have given everything but we couldn’t win, but at least we drew."We don’t look at the matches of other teams. Now we have to win ours anyway. Today we had to win and we couldn’t.

"The League is a very tough tournament. Everything can change at any time. We had an opportunity to close the gap but we’ve failed."

 

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Mazzarri: We were too tense and nervous

Inter coach Walter Mazzarri says his team were too "nervous" and "tense" throughout their 1-0 defeat to rivals AC Milan on Sunday.

Nigel de Jong's second-half header was the only goal of a drab Derby della Madonnina as Clarence Seedorf's side took city bragging rights and a step closer to securing a Europa League place.And Mazzarri had little excuse for a lacklustre performance, as his players failed to match their usual level of intensity.

"We weren't ourselves, the tension got to us," Mazzarri said after watching his team fail to register a shot on target."We didn't play well, as everyone saw. We did better in the first half, but cared so much about this game that we used up a lot of nervous energy beforehand."

Despite the result, Mazzarri urged Inter to finish the season strongly and secure their own spot in next year's Europa League."Unfortunately, this season has been up and down. Milan were more vehement in the tackle and first to the ball, so they won.

"Now we have to try and get as high up the table as possible; the situation is still in our hands and we've got to play better than this."

 

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Seedorf: Derby win an important step towards Europa League

Clarence Seedorf believes that AC Milan's 1-0 victory over Inter on Sunday evening has given them a realistic opportunity to play in the Europa League next season.

Nigel de Jong made the difference in the Derby della Madonnina with a second half header as the Rossoneri narrowed the gap between themselves and their city rivals to three points. And Seedorf was delighted with his side's "emotional" derby win.

"We declared that we want to fight to the end to reach the Europa League, which is tough as there are so many teams involved in the race," the coach said. "We continue to believe and beat an Inter side that battled, but my lads had something more in terms of determination and solidity.

"I am accustomed to criticising myself and have done throughout my career. I consider myself a winner and a winner gives his all. I want to thank the team for their efforts and I was confident over the week, as I could see how concentrated they were in training.

“The way they celebrate together on the field says more than words could. The season isn’t over yet and we have a tough game against Atalanta next week, so we will enjoy the derby win tonight and then begin preparing."My first concern was to find solidity. This team has achieved that recently. In this game I wanted to surprise Inter by changing the system, especially as I said the philosophy was more important than the system."

Despite seeing the team improve under his leadership, Seedorf is still unsure if he will be in charge of Milan at the start of next season and was asked about the possibility of taking over Inter."It could happen anytime and it would not be a scandal. But today it is an inappropriate question.

“It was an emotional derby, as always, and I was proud to see how the team fought hard and received deserved applause at the end."They did very well in defence, as it’s not easy to mark Mauro Icardi and Rodrigo Palacio.

"We had a diamond midfield with Balotelli and Kaka helping out in defence and [Adel] Taarabt on Esteban Cambiasso. It was very important to keep an eye on Cambiasso, as he can become very dangerous when Inter have possession and often combines with [Rodrigo] Palacio, so we tried to limit that connection as much as possible.

"The defence is stronger when the whole team works to help out. They understand now how important it is to be aggressive and double up the marking. Nigel De Jong, for example, did brilliantly to be the extra man in defence."