AC claim Milan derby honours

Kakha Kladze’s magnificent 70th-minute strike earned AC Milan victory over Inter in a strangely subdued Serie A derby tonight.

The Champions League semi-finalists kept the title race alive with their 1-0 victory, four days before they face Barcelona at the San Siro in the first leg of their European tie.

Milan’s win closes the gap on leaders Juventus at the top of the Serie A table to just four points and leaves Internazionale five points further adrift in third place.

Juve go to Cagliari tomorrow, with no matches in Italy on Easter Sunday.

The derby result increases the pressure on Inter coach Roberto Mancini, who has been the target of criticism from the club’s fans since his team were dumped out of the Champions League by Villarreal two weeks ago.

It was sweet revenge for Carlo Ancelotti’s men, who were sunk by a last-gasp Adriano goal in the corresponding fixture in December.

The winning goal arrived when Clarence Seedorf dinked in a cross from the left which Georgia international Kaladze controlled superbly on his chest before sending a volley into the back of the net.

Esteban Cambiasso had a chance to snatch a point for Inter in the 88th minute but veteran defender Paolo Maldini snubbed out the threat.