Serie A: Juventus clinch 28th title as Inter win Milan derby‎

Kieran Beckles takes a look Juventus' title-clinching win at Cagliari, and Internazionale's victory in the Milan derby

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By Kieran Beckles Monday 7 May 2012, 13:39 UK

Juventus end six-year wait for Serie A title

Juventus secured their first Scudetto since 2003 – discounting the two titles which were stripped from the Old Lady in the 2006 match fixing scandal – courtesy of a 2-0 victory over Cagliari on Sunday night. The Turin outfit’s bid for a 28th title was aided by Internazionale’s 4-2 win in the Milan derby which dethroned AC Milan and handed Antonio Conte’s side the Serie A crown. Mirko Vučinić’s sixth minute goal settled Juve nerves and the visitors doubled their lead courtesy of Michele Canini’s second half own-goal which extended their remarkable unbeaten run to 37 games. It was a fitting end to Alessandro Del Piero’s career – the former Italy international is the club’s all-time record goal scorer with 289 goals in 703 appearances – who retires at the end of the season. “We are celebrating a title that everyone deserved and I am happy to have contributed,” Del Piero said. “I start every year to win, sometimes it doesn’t happen, but what happened today rewards me for so many years, starting from 2006. In two weeks we have another game we want to win.”

Inter heap misery on Milan in controversial derby

AC Milan needed to win to keep their slender hopes of retaining the league title alive but a resurgent Inter restored some pride after a disappointing season with a memorable victory in the Derby della Madonnina. Argentina striker Diego Milito put Inter ahead in the 13th minute before Zlatan Ibrahimović levelled from the spot after Júlio César was incorrectly penalised for bringing down Kevin Prince-Boateng in the area. The Swedish striker scored 46 seconds after half-time to put Milan ahead and give the Rossoneri renewed hope of denying Juventus their 28th title but Milito restored parity with a 51st minute penalty before completing his hat-trick with another spot-kick. A thrilling derby was capped by Maicon’s spectacular strike on the stroke of full-time which keeps Inter’s hopes of Champions League football next season alive while ending Milan’s Scudetto ambitions.

Fiorentina manger sacked for lashing out

Delio Rossi was sacked immediately after Fiorentina’s 2-2 draw with Novara last Wednesday. The 51-year-old launched an assault on Serbia international Adem Ljajić when the midfielder sarcastically applauded the decision to substitute him. Rossi went into the dugout and threw several punches at the former Partizan midfielder.”I have never said that I am a saint but you can ask the children and all the players that I have coached in the past what type of person I am,” said Rossi. “The job is almost done. I ask the fans to be close to the players and to the Della Valle family.” Vincenzo Guerini replaced Rossi with Fiorentina safe in the top flight for another season after a slender 1-0 win at Lecce on Sunday.

Goal of the week: Maicon’s spectacular strike against Milan

Inter’s Maicon settled an entertaining derby in spectacular fashion with a 35-yard strike in the 87th minute. The 30-year-old – once considered the world’s best right-back – has endured a frustrating season at the San Siro but his goal could herald a return to form.