Inter hoping for redemption in derby

MILAN - RUNAWAY Serie A leaders Inter Milan can ease the pain of their Champions League exit by defeating city rivals AC Milan tomorrow and continuing their march towards the Scudetto.

Inter's misery at being dumped out of Europe by Valencia on Tuesday deepened when Milan reached the quarter-finals of the competition the next day with an extra-time victory over Celtic.

Docked eight points for their part in the Italian match-fixing scandal, Milan are unbeaten in their last 15 Serie A games and sit just three points off the Champions League places for next season.

And Inter, 16 points clear at the top of the table, would love nothing more than to dent their neighbours' hopes tomorrow.

Adding more fuel to the fire will be Ronaldo's first appearance for Milan against Inter, his former employers. He had walked out on Inter in 2002 after the club had stood by him during a lengthy injury crisis.

Kaka, scorer of Milan's goal in Wednesday's 1-0 victory over the Scottish champions, said he expected the San Siro derby to be more intense than usual.

'Inter will be desperate to make up for the disappointment of going out of the Champions League and winning the derby would go some way to making up for that,' said the creative Brazilian midfielder.

'But we too are charged up after reaching the last eight, so I expect it to be a superb match.'

Milan captain Paolo Maldini said beating Celtic was the ideal way to warm up for the derby.

'Qualifying for the quarter-finals of the Champions League has certainly given our morale a major boost,' he said.

'Our target is to finish in the top four and a derby victory will help us do that.'

Inter's Brazilian wing-back Maicon, who has been a revelation for the club this season, is suspended, while midfielders Esteban Cambiasso and Patrick Vieira are still injured.

Argentinian defender Nicolas Burdisso, whose nose was broken in an ugly brawl after Inter's Champions League exit in Spain, is doubtful.

Alessandro Costacurta, Cafu, Kakha Kaladze, Alessandro Nesta and Serginho are all ruled out for Milan because of injury.

Second-placed Roma, who won 2-0 at French side Lyon on Tuesday to clinch their place in the last eight of the Champions League, host Udinese.

Third-placed Palermo host Fiorentina, while Lazio, in fourth spot, will be looking for their fifth consecutive win at struggling Reggina.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE