Allegri praises squad, Silvio

AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri hailed his squad and team owner Silvio Berlusconi after the club claimed the Serie A title on Saturday.

Milan secured their first scudetto since 2003-04 with a 0-0 draw at Roma, and in doing so stopped a run of five successive titles for fierce rivals Inter Milan.

The triumph saw Milan pull level with Inter on 18 Serie A championships and that tally sees the Milan clubs equal second in the list of all-time Italian football championships, but both are still well behind Juventus who have 27.

The result moved Milan nine points clear of Inter, who have three games remaining but cannot overhaul Allegri’s side because of an inferior head-to-head record this season.

Allegri, who is in his first season in charge at Milan, said the victory would not have been possible without the influence of Berlusconi.

“I thank Prime Minister Berlusconi first of all,” he told Gazzetta Dello Sport.

“He has provided me with a team mixed with the old and new, we have won so much and we always had exemplary behaviour, even off the field.”

“The last five minutes was intense, we had a good game and it was important to close out the title race.”

“It was not easy, but the lads have demonstrated that they deserve to win this title.”

“We are also happy for the fans. We are sorry not to be in Milan tonight, but we will celebrate this week and then Saturday night at the stadium.”

“I have to thank everyone – the players, the president – that has given me a great squad with a winning mentality.”

“It’s a beautiful moment and I’m very fortunate.”

“To win the scudetto in the first year is a great satisfaction.”