Champions decided in Europe’s top 3 leagues
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The Associated Press
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Mayıs 18, 2009 00:00
LONDON - Three top leagues in European football see their winners crowned, as Manchester United, Barcelona and Inter Milan clinch titles. United wins the Premier League with a draw against Arsenal while Barcelona and Inter clinch trophies without kicking a ball with their opponents suffering losses
It was a weekend when champions are decided in three major football leagues in Europe, as Manchester United, Barcelona and Inter Milan cruised to victory on the very same day.
Manchester United clinched the English Premier League after the Arsenal game on Sunday, while Barcelona and Inter Milan won titles in Spanish La Liga and Italian Serie A without kicking a ball.
Manchester United captured its third Premier League title in a row with a 0-0 draw with Arsenal on Saturday while Middlesbrough stood on the brink of relegation.
Man United secured the point it needed to get out of reach of second place Liverpool by making sure it did not lose to the Gunners in an unexpectedly poor quality game at Old Trafford.
By winning its 11th Premier League in 17 seasons, United now is level with Liverpool's overall record of 18 all-time league titles.
"It makes you want to go on for ever," United manager Alex Ferguson said after collecting his 25th title in 23 seasons at Old Trafford.
Amid the celebrations, more than a thousand fans converged on the directors' exit and players' tunnel calling on the owners to buy Argentina striker Carlos Tevez, whose loan deal has only two weeks to run.
"It's emotional. I like Manchester, and I like the fans," Tevez said in broken English. Asked if he wanted to stay at the club, he said: "It's very difficult."
Turk’s goal not enough
Meanwhile, Middlesbrough has little chance of survival after it threw away a lead and was held 1-1 at home by Aston Villa. Turkish star Tuncay Şanlı gave Boro a 14th minute lead with an overhead shot but John Carew equalized for Villa.
Newcastle slipped back into the relegation zone after a 1-0 defeat at home to Fulham with Diomansy Kamara scoring the only goal. Newcastle had defender Sebastian Bassong sent off and manager Alan Shearer was furious that Mark Viduka had a headed goal disallowed.
"The sending off was probably the correct decision but the decision to disallow Mark Viduka's goal was a poor one," the former England captain said. "I can only assume that it was for a block or a push but I've seen the replays and there was nothing in that. It's going to be tough but I'm sure there are going to be a few twists and turns next week and it's not over yet."
In Italy, Inter Milan became the first club in more than 50 years to win four successive Serie A titles when AC Milan lost to Udinese 2-1 on Saturday.
Going into the match, Milan needed to win to keep the title race alive, but the loss left it on 71 points, an insurmountable seven behind its cross-city rival with two matches to play.
The Serie A title was Inter’s 17th overall, and it became only the third club in the 111-year history of the competition to win four straight after Juventus won five in a row from 1931-35 and Torino won five consecutive in 1943 and 1946-49. Milan failed to impress on Saturday as seventh-placed Udinese started and finished the more determined of the pair.
Pasquale Marino's side made the breakthrough in the 31st when Milan captain Paolo Maldini brought down Antonio Floro Flores and Gaetano D'Agostino nailed his 10th goal of the season from the spot.
Shortly after halftime Cristian Zapata put Udinese in control, sliding the ball home after being set up by D'Agostino.
Milan still requires three points to guarantee Champions League football next season, though coach Carlo Ancelotti is confident his team will get them in the next two weeks.
"We have our objective of three points," he said. "We missed the three points tonight, but had our chances and we will take them next week at home. I'm only interested in the Champions League and we will reach it in our next match."
He also remained tightlipped on his future beyond this season.
"I haven't decided anything and am only thinking about next week and working to getting the three points."
Villarreal favor for Barça
Barcelona won the Spanish league title for the first time in three years, thanks to a 3-2 Villarreal victory over Real Madrid.
"The league is the fairest competition and a test of consistency and I think Barcelona deserved to win it," Madrid coach Juande Ramos said.
The 19th title in Barcelona's history was a triumph for 38-year-old coach Pep Guardiola, the club's former midfielder who was in his first season in charge. Barcelona president Joan Laporta told the club's TV station that "reality had exceeded expectations."
"In footballing terms, it is one of the best seasons in Barcelona's history, in terms of play, titles and the general state of the club," Laporta said.
The title success completed Barcelona's first domestic double for 11 years. The team won the Copa del Rey last Wednesday.
"There are now five doubles in the history of the club and it's something which is marvelous and fabulous, an excellent moment for people to enjoy quietly and calmly," Laporta added. Over 40,000 Barcelona supporters gathered to celebrate at Canaletes fountain on Las Ramblas, the traditional site for celebrating the club's wins, news agency Europa Press said. Some lit fireworks waved flags and scarves, and drank from bottles of cava.
Manchester United clinched the English Premier League after the Arsenal game on Sunday, while Barcelona and Inter Milan won titles in Spanish La Liga and Italian Serie A without kicking a ball.
Manchester United captured its third Premier League title in a row with a 0-0 draw with Arsenal on Saturday while Middlesbrough stood on the brink of relegation.
Man United secured the point it needed to get out of reach of second place Liverpool by making sure it did not lose to the Gunners in an unexpectedly poor quality game at Old Trafford.
By winning its 11th Premier League in 17 seasons, United now is level with Liverpool's overall record of 18 all-time league titles.
"It makes you want to go on for ever," United manager Alex Ferguson said after collecting his 25th title in 23 seasons at Old Trafford.
Amid the celebrations, more than a thousand fans converged on the directors' exit and players' tunnel calling on the owners to buy Argentina striker Carlos Tevez, whose loan deal has only two weeks to run.
"It's emotional. I like Manchester, and I like the fans," Tevez said in broken English. Asked if he wanted to stay at the club, he said: "It's very difficult."
Turk’s goal not enough
Meanwhile, Middlesbrough has little chance of survival after it threw away a lead and was held 1-1 at home by Aston Villa. Turkish star Tuncay Şanlı gave Boro a 14th minute lead with an overhead shot but John Carew equalized for Villa.
Newcastle slipped back into the relegation zone after a 1-0 defeat at home to Fulham with Diomansy Kamara scoring the only goal. Newcastle had defender Sebastian Bassong sent off and manager Alan Shearer was furious that Mark Viduka had a headed goal disallowed.
"The sending off was probably the correct decision but the decision to disallow Mark Viduka's goal was a poor one," the former England captain said. "I can only assume that it was for a block or a push but I've seen the replays and there was nothing in that. It's going to be tough but I'm sure there are going to be a few twists and turns next week and it's not over yet."
In Italy, Inter Milan became the first club in more than 50 years to win four successive Serie A titles when AC Milan lost to Udinese 2-1 on Saturday.
Going into the match, Milan needed to win to keep the title race alive, but the loss left it on 71 points, an insurmountable seven behind its cross-city rival with two matches to play.
The Serie A title was Inter’s 17th overall, and it became only the third club in the 111-year history of the competition to win four straight after Juventus won five in a row from 1931-35 and Torino won five consecutive in 1943 and 1946-49. Milan failed to impress on Saturday as seventh-placed Udinese started and finished the more determined of the pair.
Pasquale Marino's side made the breakthrough in the 31st when Milan captain Paolo Maldini brought down Antonio Floro Flores and Gaetano D'Agostino nailed his 10th goal of the season from the spot.
Shortly after halftime Cristian Zapata put Udinese in control, sliding the ball home after being set up by D'Agostino.
Milan still requires three points to guarantee Champions League football next season, though coach Carlo Ancelotti is confident his team will get them in the next two weeks.
"We have our objective of three points," he said. "We missed the three points tonight, but had our chances and we will take them next week at home. I'm only interested in the Champions League and we will reach it in our next match."
He also remained tightlipped on his future beyond this season.
"I haven't decided anything and am only thinking about next week and working to getting the three points."
Villarreal favor for Barça
Barcelona won the Spanish league title for the first time in three years, thanks to a 3-2 Villarreal victory over Real Madrid.
"The league is the fairest competition and a test of consistency and I think Barcelona deserved to win it," Madrid coach Juande Ramos said.
The 19th title in Barcelona's history was a triumph for 38-year-old coach Pep Guardiola, the club's former midfielder who was in his first season in charge. Barcelona president Joan Laporta told the club's TV station that "reality had exceeded expectations."
"In footballing terms, it is one of the best seasons in Barcelona's history, in terms of play, titles and the general state of the club," Laporta said.
The title success completed Barcelona's first domestic double for 11 years. The team won the Copa del Rey last Wednesday.
"There are now five doubles in the history of the club and it's something which is marvelous and fabulous, an excellent moment for people to enjoy quietly and calmly," Laporta added. Over 40,000 Barcelona supporters gathered to celebrate at Canaletes fountain on Las Ramblas, the traditional site for celebrating the club's wins, news agency Europa Press said. Some lit fireworks waved flags and scarves, and drank from bottles of cava.