Ancelotti plays down significance of passing Inter

AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti refused to acknowledge any significance in his side overtaking city rivals Inter Milan in the Serie A table following their 2-1 win over Siena.

Milan have not been ahead of Inter at a significant stage of the season since the 2005-06 campaign.

But while the champions were held 0-0 at Fiorentina, Milan won at home and moved up to third in the table, one point and one place above the blue-and-black half of their city.

The victory was somewhat fortuitous, though, as it was earnt with a dodgy penalty awarded when Filippo Inzaghi went crashing down to the ground in the penalty box under minimal contact with Daniele Portanova.

Ancelotti, though, is satisfied with the way this campaign is panning out.

“The team did what it needed to, starting slowly and then growing. I don’t care about being ahead of Inter because our aim is to be first at the end of the season,” he said.

“Sunday we have a big opportunity against a team that like Udinese is ahead and can go the whole way.”

Milan entertain Napoli on Sunday knowing that victory would move them up at least to second.

The seven-time European champions are just one point below the top two and could even finish the week looking down on everyone else.

Inzaghi, though, admits the Italian giants are still far from their best but said that the points they are winning are vital.

The 2-1 home victory against Siena came hot on the heels of a narrow 1-0 success at Atalanta, which Ancelotti had admitted was not merited.

“I’m happy because I’m healthy and for Milan these points make the difference,” said Inzaghi. “Like those won in Bergamo (against Atalanta), because even not playing well we’ve got lots of points.”

The big difference this season from last for Milan is that this time around, despite losing their first two matches, they have started well.

Last year they reached the Christmas break more than 20 points behind Inter and any hopes of putting up a title fight had disappeared.

“I’m really happy because it’s a long time since we’ve started a season well like this year,” added Inzaghi.