Milan limp into Istanbul as Juve celebrate Serie A title

JUVENTUS coach Fabio Capello believes team spirit was the decisive factor in his club’s 28th Serie A title win.

Juve celebrated their triumph at Livorno yesterday although the 2-2 draw counted for nothing because the Turin side secured the title on Friday when AC Milan were held to a draw by Palermo.

“We had a strong team spirit and that is fundamental to going all the way,” said the Juve coach who has won seven league titles with four different clubs.

“Milan got ahead of us a couple of times in the season but then we were able to come back.

“If there was a turning point in the campaign then it was the away match at Lazio where we won 1-0 despite having to field a depleted side,” Capello said.

At the other end of the table, a goal from Antonio Cassano secured Roma’s top-flight survival yesterday after their 1-0 win over Atalanta sent the Bergamo club down to Serie B. Fiorentina, next to bottom, remained in trouble after a controversial 1-1 draw at Lazio. Fiorentina, must beat strugglers Brescia on the final day of the season.

Udinese drew 1-1 at Cagliari to take a grip on fourth place after Brazilian Adriano gave Inter a 1-0 win over Sampdoria.

In Spain, Real Betis guaranteed themselves a place in Europe and stayed in the hunt for a Champions League place when they came from a goal down to earn a 3-2 win at home to Real Zaragoza on Saturday.

They are now a point behind Villarreal who drew 3-3 with Barcelona with Diego Forlan scoring a hat-trick. Betis cannot finish outside the UEFA Cup places, even if they lose their final game of the season against Real Mallorca.

Real Madrid, who are guaranteed second place behind Barcelona and an automatic place in the Champions League, were held to a 0-0 draw by beleaguered city rivals Atletico.

In Germany, Schalke 04 and Werder Bremen clinched the two remaining Champions League places on the final day of the Bundesliga season on Saturday.

Bayern Munich’s ninth successive victory pushed VfB Stuttgart down to fifth.

Benfica clinched their 31st Portuguese title when they drew 1-1 at Boavista last night.

Meanwhile, Fenerbahce clinched the Turkish title for the 16th time yesterday, beating Galatasaray 1-0 with a goal from Brazilian striker Marcio Nobre to retain the trophy.