AC Milan vs Cagliari preview- Berlusconi: Scudetto the main priority

Posted Saturday, May 14, 2011 by PA

AC Milan may have missed out on the domestic double but owner Silvio Berlusconi believes clinching the Serie A crown is "all that matters".

The Rossoneri won the Scudetto for the first time since 2004 last weekend - ending city rivals Inter's four-year run - with a goalless draw at Roma but then slipped out of the Coppa Italia in midweek.

Massimiliano Allegri's men lost 2-1 at Palermo to go out 4-3 on aggregate but Berlusconi was certainly not downbeat when asked to assess the season as a whole.

Ahead of their meeting with Cagliari, the Italian Prime Minister said: "Throughout the campaign we have endured difficult times with so many injuries, especially to our strikers.

"But in the end we won the Scudetto and that is all that matters.

"We have deserved it and we are happy at Milan.

"We will celebrate with our fans on Saturday night."

Milan go into their encounter at a sold-out San Siro in buoyant mood with the confirmation they have agreed deals to sign defenders Philippe Mexes and Taye Taiwo for next season.

Both players will move to the Rossoneri on a free transfer.

Taiwo has enjoyed a fine season with Marseille while Mexes has plenty of experience in Serie A having spent seven years at Roma.

Cagliari have little to play for but will want to put on a good show after a dismal run which has seen Roberto Donadoni4s side collect just six points from a possible 27.

The Sardinian outfit are safe from relegation and lie 11th in the standings.

They have, however, lost their last three games, including last weekend4s 2-0 setback to Cesena.

"This ending to the season is pathetic," Cagliari president Massimo Cellino said.

"I'm very disappointed with how the players have performed in our recent games and I hope they will honour the club and end the season on a high note."

Allegri will be without suspended midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng and the injured Marek Jankulovski.