ROME: Coach Jose Mourinho said Inter Milan would have won Sunday’s derby with only seven players after they overcame two sendings-off to beat AC Milan 2-0.
Inter moved nine points clear of second-placed Milan despite Wesley Sneijder’s 27th-minute red card thanks to goals by Diego Milito and Goran Pandev. Brazil defender Lucio was also sent off in the closing stages for handball, although Inter keeper Julio Cesar saved the ensuing penalty by Ronaldinho.
“We showed everything. The only way we would have lost is if we’d gone down to six,” Mourinho told Sky television. “With seven we’d have won the same.
“Inter played a spectacular match from all points of view, tactical, physical, psychological — an incredible match.”
The Portuguese coach was less happy with the officials, especially regarding Sneijder’s red card for giving the referee sarcastic applause.
“I go away with a strange taste,” he said. “It’s your country, your championship, it’s your problem, not mine.
“Today everything was done for us not to win this match.
“The referee asked if I’d be angry if one of my players clapped at me ironically. I said no, it’s part of the game.”
Milan coach Leonardo was not downbeat despite a defeat that landed a massive blow to his side’s title ambitions.
“One game cannot establish how good you are,” he said. “We have lots of possibilities. We have a game in hand. We have a good position in the standings. We are in the Champions League.
“We encountered Inter on a great night.”
Ronaldo slammed
In Madrid, Cristiano Ronaldo was widely criticized on Monday after his sending off for violent conduct in Sunday’s 2-0 win over Malaga again highlighted what some termed his Jekyll and Hyde character.
The Portuguese forward netted a first-half double to put Real Madrid in command at the Bernabeu but his night turned from glory to shame in the 70th minute when he was dismissed for lashing out at Patrick Mtiliga and breaking the Malaga defender’s nose.
It was his second dismissal of the season after his sending off against Almeria in December for kicking out at an opponent.
“Cristiano Ronaldo, hero and villain” (El Pais), “Cristiano Ronaldo, again angel and demon” (La Razon) and “Doctor Cristiano and Mister Ronaldo” (Marca), were some of the headlines in Monday’s Spanish press.
