Committed to PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO KNOW
Vol. 5 Num 1007 Sat. March 31, 2007  
   
Sports


Serie A
Inter seek quick wrap-up


Inter Milan will sense the chance to move closer to the Serie A title this weekend with the runaway leaders at home to struggling Parma and second-placed Roma facing a tough test against AC Milan.

Inter, who finished third last season but were awarded the Scudetto after Juventus and AC Milan were found guilty of match-fixing, have a massive 18-point lead over Roma with just 10 games left.

Still unbeaten in Serie A, Inter can fully concentrate on the league following their exit from the Champions League while Roma, together with AC Milan, are still involved in Europe's premier competition.

Roma are unlikely to go all out for three points at home to AC Milan on Saturday with the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal against English Premiership leaders Manchester United coming up four days later.

Fifth-placed AC Milan, whose need for a victory is perhaps greater than Roma's as they try to secure a Champions League place for next season, face Bayern Munich on Tuesday.

The top two clubs in Serie A go automatically into the Champions League group stages, while the teams finishing third and fourth have to play in the two-legged third qualifying round.

With Juventus relegated to Serie B for their match-fixing crimes and AC Milan docked eight points, Inter's championship challenge has felt like a procession.

But their in-form striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who will be suspended for the Parma match due to a one-game ban, can't wait to crack open the champagne and get the Scudetto party started.

"We're not tired of winning and we want the title as soon as possible," said the 25-year-old Sweden international who has netted 15 league goals.

"The fans have been patient, but we are in a hurry."

AC Milan are determined to make the best out of a difficult season and veteran captain Paolo Maldini believes Ronaldo is the man who can help them finish the campaign on a high.

The 30-year-old Brazilian striker, a January transfer window signing from Spanish giants Real Madrid, struggled with injuries and poor form in his last six months in Spain.

But Maldini believes 'The Phenomenon' is getting back to his best.

"Ronaldo is a champion and unlike any other player we've had at the club," said the 38-year-old Maldini.

"He came here after a fairly inactive six months, but he has trained very hard and his presence can be the turning point in helping us get fourth place."

Third-placed Lazio, docked three points for their match-fixing involvement, will be looking for their seventh consecutive win when they visit Udinese.

The Rome club's impeccable run has left them well placed for a top-four finish. Lazio have 49 points from their 28 matches played, nine less than Roma but six ahead of AC Milan.

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