MILAN, Italy (AP) - Inter Milan owner Massimo Moratti had to be patient for his first Italian league title.
Moratti got that in 2006 after taking over Inter 11 years earlier. The Milan club won another championship in 2007 and a third straight title for Inter is still likely despite its poor form late in the season with AS Roma narrowing the gap.
Inter has a slim three-point lead over Roma in the standings and needs to win one of its final two games to guarantee the title on a better head-to-head record.
Inter had a chance to wrap up the title last Sunday, but lost to city rival AC Milan 2-1. The second chance comes this Sunday as Inter hosts Siena at San Siro.
Though still heavily favored to win the title, the tightening of the race has led to reported tension between Moratti and his coach Roberto Mancini.
"I think the (Milan) game was confronted with too much prudence, but unfortunately on certain occasions luck favors those who have more courage," Moratti said.
Milan dominated the game for the first 75 minutes with Inter only showing its league-leading form after falling behind by two goals.
"Everybody can think whatever they want, that's not a problem," Mancini said after Moratti's comments. "Criticisms don't bother me. My thoughts are directed toward getting three points against Siena to close this out and I'm sure we'll do it."
The owner and his coach tried to reduce the tension on Wednesday as Pope Benedict XVI received the team at a Vatican ceremony.
"I don't understand this whole incredible controversy," Mancini said of the reported clash with Moratti. "We just expressed different opinions, but we get along."
After meeting the pope, Inter went on to win its Italian Cup game against Lazio and earn a spot in the May 24 final. Roma played Catania in the other semifinal game on Thursday. Roma won the first leg 1-0 and needs only a draw to advance.
Inter faces a possibly demotivated Siena, which after its win last weekend is now assured of avoiding relegation to Serie B for next season.
"We reached our objective, but we aren't coming to Milan just to have a walk in the park," said Siena coach Mario Beretta. "I want to win. We took three points away from Roma and it's only right that we do the same to Inter."
Siena defeated Roma 3-0 in February.
Inter is likely still to be without Zlatan Ibrahimovic who has not played since March 29 because of a lingering knee injury. The Sweden striker may be back for the final game of the season and is expected to play in the European Championship.
Roma will have to defeat mid-table Atalanta to keep its title hopes alive going into the final game on May 18.
AC Milan will seek to defend its new fourth place - and Champions League berth - against Napoli. Milan will field forwards Filippo Inzaghi, who has scored nine goals in the last five games, and Kaka.
Fiorentina, one point behind Milan, hosts third-to-last Parma which has not won a road game this year. The bottom three teams in Serie A will play in Serie B next year and Parma faces Inter in the last game.
In another key relegation battle, Reggina hosts Empoli. Reggina is just clear of relegation and Empoli is a point behind Parma.
Also Sunday, it's: Genoa vs. Lazio; Juventus vs. Catania; Livorno vs. Torino; Palermo vs. Sampdoria; and Udinese vs. Cagliari.
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