AC Milan’s Champions League exit appears to have given the squad more confidence as it chases its first Serie A title in seven years.
Milan were eliminated from Europe by Tottenham following a 0-0 draw on Wednesday in which the Italian team controlled nearly from start to finish. The London club advanced courtesy of its 1-0 win at the San Siro last month.
“It’s not always the best team that wins,” Milan forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic said. “The only thing missing tonight was a goal. In two matches Tottenham had one shot on goal and that was the difference. But Milan are in very good form.”
While Milan failed to find the net over 180 minutes, club vice president Adriano Galliani also didn’t appear very upset.
“I wouldn’t know what to criticize,” Galliani said. “We have to have the maturity to accept the elimination, which comes after a great game.”
Milan host Bari in Serie A tomorrow hoping to protect, or add to, their five-point lead over five-time defending champions Inter.
“Our focus shifts to the league. This performance gives us a lot of strength,” Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri said.
Roma’s confidence took a sharp hit after the defeat in Ukraine, and the club has little time to recover with a derby against Lazio tomorrow.
Vincenzo Montella replaced Claudio Ranieri as Roma coach last month but the squad is still struggling to find continuity. Forward Marco Borriello had a penalty blocked that would have levelled the match with Shakhtar at 1-1.
“I take full responsibility for missing the penalty,” said Borriello, who does not usually take the spot kicks for Roma. “I wanted to kick it and it could have altered the match.”
Roma forward Adriano terminated his contract on Tuesday by mutual consent with the club, and midfielder Daniele De Rossi is facing a multi-game ban and-or a heavy fine for pushing a forearm into the face of Shakhtar captain Dario Srna, a gesture that could also prevent De Rossi from being called up for upcoming matches with Italy’s national team, according to new rules imposed by coach Cesare Prandelli.
Lazio, meanwhile, are hoping to hold onto fourth place and the final Champions League berth.
“There’s only one result we’re after: a win. A victory would give us a lot more breathing room in the race for the Champions League,” Lazio forward Mauro Zarate said. “We don’t want to lose fourth place, and actually we’re hoping to finish third.”
Roma have won the last four derbies.
Also this weekend, Juventus will look to snap a three-match losing streak against Cesena and save coach Luigi Del Neri’s job.
Inter held by Brescia
Inter needed goalkeeper Julio Cesar to save a penalty two minutes from time to earn a 1-1 draw at Brescia in Serie A yesterday.
Samuel Eto’o gave Inter the lead in the first half, but Andrea Caracciolo equalized with six minutes remaining.
He then had the chance to earn Brescia a famous victory after Ivan Cordoba gave away a penalty and received a red card for pulling down Brescia substitute Eder. But Caracciolo’s weak spot-kick was easily saved by Cesar.