Kaka earns Milan derby win to end Inter's run
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-02-28 09:51

Brazilian Kaka struck late to earn AC Milan a 1-0 win in the Milan derby on Sunday and inflict Inter's first defeat of the season.

Champions Milan stayed joint top of Serie A on 57 points with Juventus, who beat Siena 3-0, while Inter, previously unbeaten in 38 league and cup games, slipped 14 points behind the leaders and virtually out of the title race in fourth place.

AC Milan Brazilian soccer star Kaka' celebrates after scoring the winning goal during the Italian first division soccer match between AC Milan and Inter Milan at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb 27, 2005. Milan won 1-0. [AP]

There had been little between the teams until Gennaro Gattuso's low drive was turned home by Brazilian Kaka in the 74th minute to give Carlo Ancelotti's side victory.

The Brazilian admitted there was a stroke of good fortune behind the winner which was more of a diversion than a shot.

"Finally after so much bad luck with hitting the post and other situations I got an opportunist's goal," Kaka told Italy's Sky Sport television.

"We are having some luck at the moment -- at Manchester and here we won it in the final minutes. That is a good sign," said the Brazilian, referring to the 1-0 Champions League win over Manchester United on Wednesday.

Inter had gone close on the stroke of halftime when Milan's Brazilian keeper Dida produced a fine save to keep out a fiercely struck drive from Argentine Juan Sebastian Veron.

Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti conceded his side had been fortunate to take the three points from what was, with the lack of entertainment, a disappointing derby.

"A draw on a night like this with few chances would have been a fairer result," Ancelotti said.

"But these are things that happen in the game, sometimes just a little thing can turn things your way. It is a very important win for us but I have to say that Inter didn't deserve to lose," the Milan coach added.

Club owner and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi agreed.

"I'm happy with the result but it was not an attractive game. It was lucky Milan but that's fine," he told reporters.

Inter coach Roberto Mancini had no doubt his side had deserved at least a point.

"When you concede a goal like that in a game where Milan hardly got near goal then I think you can talk about being unlucky," the Inter coach said.

"Sometimes you lose games you shouldn't and maybe we will get some luck in the future," he added.

Mancini said while he had no complaints about his team's attitude and commitment he felt they could have done more to provide strikers Christian Vieri and Obafemi Martins with chances.

"We lacked that edge in advanced positions and we needed to provide better service to the two strikers. We played well up until the edge of their area but then we lacked something," he said.

Asked if Inter were now out of the race for the scudetto, a prize they have not won since 1989, Mancini said: "Fourteen points is quite a lot but that doesn't mean that we shouldn't give our all in the remaining games. In fact that is an obligation and in football you never say never."

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