Marco Materazzi spoke to journalists about his penalty miss after Sunday's Serie A draw with Siena.

"Unfortunately it went badly, but I have taken penalties many other times and I have always scored," he said. "This is football. I felt up to taking it and I did, but with hindsight perhaps I should have left the ball for Julio (Cruz), to whom I apologised after.

"We're very disappointed because we could have won. We all know how it went and that I missed the penalty.

"I want to point out that there was no harsh confrontation with Mancini in the dressing room. This isn't true, and I'm sorry that these things have been said. I told the coach what I'm telling you now.

"We have to pick ourselves up now and think about that match (against Parma) that will be like a final." (Official FC Inter web site)

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12 May 2008 - dera

The Serie A title race will go down to the wire as Siena held Inter 2-2 at a packed Stadio Giuseppe Meazza.

Second-place Roma beat Atalanta at the Olimpico, cutting the Nerazzurri's lead to a point with one round of matches remaining.

Patrick Vieira gave Inter a dream start, powering home a header from Mario Balotelli's corner in the 11th minute.

Siena came back strong and Maccarone slid past Julio Cesar on the half hour to bring the teams on level terms.

Vieira went from scorer to provider as Inter restored their lead on the stroke of half time.

The France captain flicked Maicon's throw into the path of Balotelli and the seventeen-year-old sensation nodded in from a yard out.

But Siena struck back again in the 69th minute, Houssine Kharka Siena finding the bottom right corner with a low curling shot from just outside the box.

Inter produced a dozen chances in the closing stages, and Materazzi had a penalty saved by Manniger, but the ball just wouldn't go in, meaning Mancini's men now need to beat Parma next weekend to wrap up the title. (Official FC Inter web site)


* Goals TV

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11 May 2008 - dera

Roberto Mancini has called up 19 players for Sunday afternoon's Serie A Week 37 match against Siena (Stadio Giuseppe Meazza at 15:00):

Goalkeepers: 1 Francesco Toldo, 12 Julio Cesar.

Defenders: 4 Javier Zanetti, 6 Maxwell, 13 Maicon, 16 Nicolas Burdisso, 23 Marco Materazzi, 24 Nelson Rivas.

Midfielders: 5 Dejan Stankovic, 11 Luis Jimenez, 14 Patrick Vieira, 19 Esteban Cambiasso, 28 Maniche, 30 Pelé, 31 Cesar.

Strikers: 9 Julio Ricardo Cruz, 18 Hernan Crespo, 29 David Suazo, 45 Mario Balotelli.

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10 May 2008 - dera

Pelé and Julio Cruz scored in the second half to set up a Tim Cup final with either Catania or Roma.

The Portuguese youngster stunned the Stadio Olimpico with a magnificent strike seven minutes after the restart, Cruz adding an easy second late on.

Lazio made a strong start and Ledesma hit the post with a curling free kick less than two minutes in.

Delio Rossi's side maintained the attacking pressure and hit the woodwork again when Rocchi's 20-yard strike shaved the bar.

Lazio began the second half as they ended the first but Pelé silenced the Olimpico in the 52nd minute with his first goal in black and blue - a brilliant placed shot from Suazo's cut-back that flew into the top right corner.

Needing to score twice, Lazio's game deteriorated and substitute Cruz wrapped up victory with five minutes of the ninety remaining, just after Materazzi was shown a straight red card.

El Jardinero booked Inter's place in a fourth consecutive national cup final with the easiest of goals, slotting his 19th of the season into an open net after Ballotta spilled Pelé cross. (Official FC Inter web site)


* Goals TV

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08 May 2008 - dera

Roberto Mancini has called up 32 players for Wednesday evening's Tim Cup semi-final return leg against Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico (kick-off 21:00):

Goalkeepers: 1 Francesco Toldo, 12 Julio Cesar, 22 Paolo Orlandoni, 51 Vid Belec.

Defenders: 2 Ivan Ramiro Cordoba, 4 Javier Zanetti, 6 Maxwell, 13 Maicon, 16 Nicolas Burdisso, 23 Marco Materazzi, 24 Nelson Rivas, 25 Walter Samuel, 26 Cristian Chivu, 40 Ivan Fatic, 47 Marco Filippini.

Midfielders: 5 Dejan Stankovic, 7 Luis Figo, 11 Luis Jimenez, 14 Patrick Vieira, 15 Olivier Dacourt, 19 Esteban Cambiasso, 21 Santiago Solari, 28 Maniche, 30 Pelé, 31 Cesar, 36 Francesco Bolzoni, 43 Daniele Pedrelli.

Strikers: 9 Julio Ricardo Cruz, 18 Hernan Crespo, 29 David Suazo, 45 Mario Balotelli, 50 Luca Siligardi.

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06 May 2008 - dera

AC Milan beat Inter 2-1 to avoid a fourth consecutive derby defeat - a result that sees the Nerazzurri's Serie A lead cut to three points as Roma won 3-0 against Sampdoria.

Filippo Inzaghi and Kaka scored within six second-half minutes to stun Mancini's men, but Julio Cruz reduced the arrears to set up a dramatic finale.

Milan's best chances of a tactical first half fell to Inzaghi, who headed wide crosses from Bonera and Kaka.

It was third time lucky for the experienced Italian, who stole in to nod Kaka's cross past Julio Cesar for Milan's opener on 51 minutes.

Kaka turned from provider to scorer in the 56th, sliding home from a tight angle to double the Rossoneri's lead after a defensive mistake by Vieira.

The Brazilian's goal prompted a vehement reaction from the Nerazzurri, Maniche and Crespo having shots blocked by Kalac before Cruz cut Milan's lead in the 76th minute with a curling free kick that sailed round the wall and into the far corner.

Inter launched a late onslaught on goal but Milan held firm for a victory that boots their prospects of Champions League football next season. (Official FC Inter web site)


* Goals TV

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04 May 2008 - dera

Roberto Mancini has called up 20 players for Sunday afternoon's Serie A Week 36 match against AC Milan (Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, kick-off 15:00):

Goalkeepers: 1 Francesco Toldo, 12 Julio Cesar.

Defenders: 4 Javier Zanetti, 6 Maxwell, 13 Maicon, 16 Nicolas Burdisso, 23 Marco Materazzi, 24 Nelson Rivas, 26 Cristian Chivu.

Midfielders: 5 Dejan Stankovic, 11 Luis Jimenez, 14 Patrick Vieira, 19 Esteban Cambiasso, 21 Santiago Solari, 28 Maniche, 30 Pelé.

Strikers: 9 Julio Ricardo Cruz, 18 Hernan Crespo, 29 David Suazo, 45 Mario Balotelli.

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03 May 2008 - dera

Hernan Crespo gave a brief interview to Sky Italia today on the sidelines of an international horse-racing competition in Modena, in which his wife is taking part.

This is what the Inter striker had to say:

Crespo, this season you have played less than you would have liked, despite Mancini wanting you at Inter. What's your explanation for this?
"I don't think there's a clear explanation. I have no regrets. I would behave in the same way I have behaved this year. Sport is made up of these things too - there's a person who decides and sometimes you're chosen a bit less than in past years. This can happen and you can get a bit angry, but in the end you accept the rules of our sport because it's the coach who decides how he sees fit. I was selected a lot last year and it went well for me. This year I have been selected a bit less and let's hope it finishes just as well. Let's hope I can convince him to return to the old times next year."

Mancini has preferred Balotelli to you recently - a striker who's not even 18 yet...
"Only Inter counts. It doesn't matter if it's a seventeen year old or a forty year old. What matters is reaching the final objective, and that's winning. You always want to play and be a protagonist, but I think the personal aspect should be put to one side. The most important thing right now is for Inter to reach its objectives."

They say Mourinho has bought a house in Monza...
"It's part of the game and we have to accept it... (Smiles) If he wanted to come to Inter though he was wrong to buy a house in Monza because it's far from both San Siro and Appiano Gentile."

Inter could become Italian champions on Sunday...
"It depends on us. It's up to us when, depending on our results on Sunday and in the next two weeks. We just need one victory and we're hoping it will come as soon as possible because this season has been hard and tiring. Winning it at the Meazza in a atmosphere like this, and in a derby, would be something special for the fans. Not much changes for us though - we just want to win it full stop. But winning the derby and the Scudetto on the same day would be the icing on the cake. And winning the Italian championship (on the pitch) two years running is something special." (Official FC Inter web site)

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02 May 2008 - dera

With roughly four thousand fans turning up for the May Day session, there was a stadium atmosphere at Inter's training ground this afternoon.

There were chants for all the Nerazzurri during the practice match which brought training to a close, and Maicon was among the names shouted loudest.

"I'm happy when the fans chant my name," the Brazilian told Inter Channel, "but I want to do well on the pitch so everybody can be pleased with me. Personally I'm feeling good. I aim to train well every day because this is how you do well on the pitch and get results."

Inter will win a third consecutive Scudetto if they beat AC Milan in Sunday's derby. "We have to try and impose our game," Maicon said. "We want to win because it would be wonderful for us. Am I a bit excited? No. I'm calm and happy, as always. On Sunday I will try to do well with my team-mates." (Official FC Inter web site)

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01 May 2008 - dera

Massimo Moratti has ruled out a transfer market derby with AC Milan over Ronaldinho.

Responding to a joke that with the price of oil being so high, Inter could buy the Brazilian star, the Nerazzurri's president said: "Ronaldinho's price is a bit high.

"We're following the matter thanks to an excellent relationship with he family, but I don't think we are those who are the most interested - others have officially declared this.

"For now, the only derby is next Sunday's one. It's important for us, but I think it's important for Milan too."

Moratti is not making any announcements regarding possible new faces at Inter for the 2008/09 season, but said that Adriano will return to Inter "and then we'll see what we'll do". He believes that there are no players who could make a striking improvement to the squad, but "there are a few contracts due to run out, so we could move for a winger".

The president added that Mancini will stay, saying: "Mancini is a winner, I'm happy with him. The rumours about the matter arise because they always have to say something about Inter. And I have changed a lot of coaches, so they always want to think that I have other ideas.

"For me and the club, he is confirmed. But it also depends on his position, on his decisions. I don't know if he has had other offers. For me, he is confirmed." (Official FC Inter web site)

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29 Apr 2008 - dera