体坛英语新闻：AC Milan win title after draw at Roma

ROME, May 7 (Xinhua) -- AC Milan clinched their first Italian Serie A title since 2003-2004 with a 0-0 draw at Roma on Saturday with two games remaining.

In doing so, the Italian giants, who have topped the standings for much of the 2010-11 season, stopped a run of five successive championships to fierce rivals Inter Milan, and wrapped up their 18th Italian top-flight triumph - level with Inter.

After watching his side end their seven-year wait for the Scudetto with a tense goalless draw at AS Roma, AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri said that he was "madly happy" and admitted the reality of a title win in his first season in charge of the Rossoneri had yet to sink in.

"I don't think I've realized what's happened yet," he said.

Needing a point to secure their 18th league title, Allegri's side held out for a 0-0 draw that left their fans and coach on tenterhooks until the final whistle.

"The last five minutes of the game were hard to withstand," said the 43-year-old former Cagliari Calcio coach. "This is a huge satisfaction; I am madly happy and feel very lucky."

After a long winter, in which Milan had to overcome a number of injury problems and the improving fortunes of city rivals Inter, who reduced their lead to just two points, the Rossoneri raised themselves again, with a pivotal 3-0 derby success in early April.

Since then, their supremacy was never in question and by moving nine points clear of the Nerazzurri, who have three games remaining, but with an inferior record in head-to-heads, Milan can at last celebrate that long-awaited Serie A title.

"It was unexpected in a way," said veteran midfielder Gennaro Gattuso, who earned Allegri's trust after an inauspicious start under the new coach.

"The critics said that we were half-dead, too old, that we didn't have any value; but here we are again celebrating our 18th title. So, for me, this is more than just a Scudetto, this is a big victory. Last season they said that I was useless, but luckily I found the strength to work hard.