'Title race over'
ByReuters
Published 01/04/2006 at 21:07 GMT
Carlo Ancellotti said his AC Milan side are now focused on the Champions League and finishing second in Serie A after Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Lecce left them nine points behind leaders Juventus with six matches to play.
FOOTBALL 2005-2006 Serie A Carlo Ancelotti
Image credit: Imago
"I never thought that we could catch Juventus and now we need to keep an eye on those who are behind us and close to us and try to keep a distance between them and second place," said the Milan coach.
Inter Milan are third in the standings and the teams will meet in the derby on Easter Saturday at the San Siro.
The runners-up spot in Serie A brings an automatic place in next season's Champions League while the teams finishing third and fourth have to qualify for the group stage.
Ancelotti left out several of his regulars for Saturday's game with an eye on Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final return against Olympique Lyon.
Milan drew 0-0 in France last week despite creating several chances and their inability to convert opportunities afflicted them again at Lecce on Saturday.
"It's a bit like that for us at the moment," said Ancelotti, "We aren't putting the chances away.
"I don't think it's about motivation. We were motivated for this game and I don't think it's a psychological issue either," he said.
"We are just in a moment when things aren't going for us. On Tuesday we will be fired up for the return game with Lyon and the team will be quite different," he added.
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