Milan's big scudetto party delayed as Italian Cup looms

By Alberto Cagliano May 9, 2011, 9:15 GMT

Rome - AC Milan held a low-key party for their 18th Serie A title and quickly switched their focus to a season double they could clinch by winning the Italian Cup.

The Devils secured the scudetto Saturday, drawing 0-0 at Roma with two games left in the season, and remained in Rome for a night of celebrations before resuming training for a cup semi-final Tuesday at Palermo.

Thousands of Rossoneri fans met in the streets of Milan and in Piazza Duomo, gearing up for the real scudetto party set for next Saturday, when their heroes play the last home game of the season against Cagliari.

'It was a wonderful sensation,' coach Massimiliano Allegri said. 'I think it was a deserved success because the footballers played a wonderful season.

'Now we must try to close it in the best possible way, with the Italian Cup. We must immediately find the concentration to play well in Palermo (after a 2-2 draw in the first leg).'

A possible final, on May 29 in Rome, could pit the Devils against city rivals Inter Milan, who take a 1-0 lead over Roma into the second leg of that semi-final.

Inter president Massimo Moratti complimented the new champions late Saturday and expressed mild satisfaction that the trophy stays in the northern Italian city after five straight won by his side.

Milan won their last national title in 2004 and raised the Champions League trophy in 2003 and 2007 for seven continental trophies, two less than Real Madrid.

Allegri, 43, only took his side to the final-16 of the tournament, but clinched the scudetto on his first season at Milan. He was widely credited for his ability to blend veterans and new arrivals in a solid and motivated team.

'No one is born a master. Rising through the ranks is fundamental for any coach,' Allegri said Monday during a Radio 1 show.

'Confronting difficulties is important and it happened to me (coaching) in the non-professional leagues. Then I moved to Cagliari (for two seasons).

'This year my experience at Milan was wonderful, with (vice president Adriano) Galliani and everyone at the club always staying close to me.

'To win the league you must have the best defence. This does not mean not to have a good attack, but in the second half of the season we have only conceded six goals (on a total of 23). The whole team was available to support the defence.'

Few changes are expected for the next season, when Frenchman Philippe Mexes is due to arrive from Roma to join defence veteran Alessandro Nesta, Brazilian Thiago Silva and goalkeeper Christian Abbiati.

Sweden star Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Brazilians Pato and Robinho, plus supporting forward Antonio Cassano, make up an impressive attack package, but some tweaking may be needed in midfield.

Dutchman Clarence Seedorf and Gennaro Gattuso could be tempted to leave, and international playmaker Andrea Pirlo could consider departure as well after being rarely fielded in an injury-plagued season.

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