Galliani cools AC Milan's Serie A chances

AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has played down suggestions that the Rossoneri are now serious contenders for the Serie A title.

Milan's 5-1 rout of Torino coupled with a 1-1 draw between top two Internazionale and Juventus over the weekend left them ten points off the pace set by their city rivals.

"We have managed to recover a seven-point difference in just a few days," admitted Galliani.

"However, to think of the Scudetto would be crazy.

"There are still 18 points left in the season. Eight points will suffice for Inter but they will certainly get many more."

Meanwhile, Jose Mourinho was at his animated best after seeing his Inter side held by Juventus.

A Mario Balotelli goal looked like pushing Inter further towards another Scudetto, only for Juve to snatch a point right at the death through Zdenek Grygera.

However, Mourinho claimed afterwards: "I like playing in the stadium of an historic club, getting a point and seeing a team that is overjoyed with this result.

"I think that is the greatest show of respect Inter can receive.

"We proved why we are top of the table, have a ten-point lead and are the strongest side in Italy. We will have the Scudetto in a few weeks.”

Elsewhere, Juventus' sporting director Alessio Secco claims that his club are set to make several major purchases next summer.

World Cup-winning skipper Fabio Cannavaro is expected to rejoin Juve from Real Madrid for next season, while Werder Bremen's Brazilian ace Diego remains a long-term target.

Secco said: "The club has the funds to complete the growth programme with some important new buys.

"We are working to set up a squad capable of making another step up in terms of quality.

"I am convinced next season will bring us a lot of excitement and the satisfaction our fans deserve. The objective is to improve.

"Only two seasons ago Juve were in Serie B, while now we are second in the table and in our first term back in Serie A we finished third.

"The primary objective that stands before anything else is automatic qualification for the Champions League."

However, one player who could be leaving is David Trezeguet after the agent of the France striker suggested is ready to quit Juve.

Fit-again Trezeguet was an unused substitute in the 1-1 draw with Inter and agent Antonio Caliendo has hinted that the out-of-favour hitman may look to move on in the summer.

"I was sitting in the stands and I saw him on the bench and my heart was crying," he said.

"And then Juve were trailing 1-0 and David, the best European goal scorer over the past ten years, was unused. A world and European champion who has netted goals every season.

"We are not talking about a 38-year-old at the end of his career. His 161 goals for Juve speaks volumes."

Referring to Trezeguet's contract, which runs until 2011, he added: "When you get married it is usually for the entire life, but sometimes people divorce."