Leonardo: Derby not decisive in title race

Inter Milan boss Leonardo has denied his side’s Scudetto hopes rest on the upcoming derby with city rivals and Serie A leaders AC Milan.

Inter moved to within two points of Milan on the Italian table with a scrappy 1-0 win over relegation-threatened Lecce on Sunday, setting up a thrilling battle at the San Siro on April 2.

Milan, who once led the league by 13 points, lost to Palermo on Saturday as their late-season slide continued unabated.

The Rossoneri will be desperate to revive their title challenge in the Derby della Madonnina, but Leonardo believes a loss to Milan will not prove decisive in the Scudetto race.

“All the remaining matches are decisive, not just that one,” Leonardo said.

“The derby won’t be crucial because after that there are another seven rounds.”

“What we wanted to do was get closer, get back in the race and challenge for the Scudetto. We reach this derby in the best possible condition.”

The upcoming derby will be the first time Leonardo has locked horns with his former club, one the Brazilian boss departed in acrimonious circumstances at the end of last season.

Leonardo denies he is out for revenge against Milan, particularly president Silvio Berlusconi, with whom the Inter manager had a difficult relationship in his time at the Rossoneri.

“No, life goes on and you learn from every experience,” Leonardo said.

“If I look back at my career, I see only positive aspects and will never forget my 13 years at Milan. I live my life based on love, not recrimination.”

Leonardo conceded his side came up against a searching examination from Lecce, who are fighting to keep themselves alive in the top-flight as the season nears its conclusion.

Giampaolo Pazzini lifted the San Siro into full voice with a goal on 52 minutes, one that Leonardo denied had any hint of handball.

“It wasn’t an easy game and there were many hidden dangers,” Leonardo said.

“We struggled to find space, especially in the first half, but to bring home the three points we needed a cool head and patience.”

“Pazzini did not handle the ball, as you can see in the replay his arm moves backwards and the ball goes forwards, so it must’ve been his chest.”