Source: Daily_Mail
Becks' pain! England hero is subbed as Jose's Inter boss the battle of Milan
David Beckham's Italian paradise received the Jose Mourinho treatment on Sunday night as AC Milan's title dreams faded at the hands of the Special One.[LNB]Mourinho's Inter beat their city rivals at the San Siro to move nine points clear at the top of Serie A, extending their lead to nine points over Claudio Ranieri's Juventus who drew at home to Sampdoria earlier in the day.[LNB]Though neat, tidy and industrious as ever, Beckham had little impact upon his first Milan derby and his team were two down when he came off, 11 minutes into the second half, struggling with a kick on the calf he picked up playing for England. [LNB] Hard-hitting drama: David Beckham (right) takes a whack from Inter's Davide Santone during Sunday's Milan derby[LNB]Pippo Inzaghi came on and inspired an frenzied fightback which almost salvaged a point.[LNB]Defeat for Milan means they trail the leaders by 11 points with 14 to play and Beckham must now hope there was nothing sinister in the club's reluctance to press ahead with negotiations about his permanent transfer from Los Angeles Galaxy before this crucial match.[LNB]"Talks are still going on," said Beckham. [LNB]"Let's see what happens. Hopefully things will go the way I want but it's out of my hands. [LNB]"They'll be talking in the next week or two.[LNB] Beckham looked in pain as he limped off during the Milan derby[LNB] "I've said I want to stay. This result should not make one bit of difference. I'm aware they want me for the rest of the season."[LNB]He agreed with former Galaxy boss Ruud Gullit, who said it would be tough to go back to the USA having declared his desire to leave. [LNB]"Yes it will but we'll see," said Beckham. [LNB]"If I do go back it will be a bit difficult but I'm always professional."[LNB]Milan's first offer of £2.5million has been rejected by the MLS club and they are expected to make an improved bid this week but, if they are ready to concede Serie A to their neighbours, the need maybe much more pressing and Beckham is a free agent in November, at the end of the American season.[LNB]One factor in his favour, as ever, is public support. [LNB] 'Indispensable' Beckham hopes to seal move after Milan derby[LNB]Beckham booked on his historic night as England are outclassed by Spain[LNB]Beckham: 'I have nothing against Galaxy, but I want to stay in Milan'[LNB]Galaxy must grant Becks his wish and let him join Milan permanently, insists Gullit[LNB][LNB]Fans have taken him to their heart and his capture will lift spirits in the red half of the city as Mourinho's title procession continues.[LNB]Those in the Curva Sud, who initially dismissed his loan signing as a commercial stunt, now sing: "Beckham Uno Di Noi", Beckham is one of us. [LNB]It wasn't the first song on Sunday night but they sang it like they meant it as their new pin-up boy warmed up.[LNB]La Gazzetta dello Sport devoted the cover of its weekly magazine to him ahead of the derby and an eight-page feature was littered with quotes from team-mates. [LNB]Boss Ancelotti hailed him "indispensable", although he had obviously changed his tune by the 56th minute. [LNB]Afterwards, he said the midfielder's performance had been "sufficient".[LNB]"It's one of the biggest games in football," said Beckham. [LNB]"I'm proud to have played in it but I'm sure it's better if you win it.[LNB] England midfielder Beckham was forced off with a calf injury [LNB]"We played better towards the end and seemed to cause them more problems. [LNB]"The pressure they put on us in the first 25 minutes set the tempo but we came back.[LNB]"We're quite far behind now. We were far behind before the game started and we needed to win it. [LNB]"There's still a chance but it's a slim chance."[LNB]Having survived an early flashpoint with Sulley Muntari, Beckham's touches were decisive, accurate and unfussy and, in a team of dead ball experts, he took the corners while he was on the pitch.[LNB] 'Indispensable' Beckham hopes to seal move after Milan derby[LNB]Beckham booked on his historic night as England are outclassed by Spain[LNB]Beckham: 'I have nothing against Galaxy, but I want to stay in Milan'[LNB]Galaxy must grant Becks his wish and let him join Milan permanently, insists Gullit[LNB][LNB]Beckham's advisors were not concerned about missing Friday's MLS-imposed deadline for a deal, insisting this game was the sole focus of the weekend and they do not expect the result to influence his future.[LNB]In keeping with the theme, Mourinho had launched himself into his second Milan derby (he lost his first one) by suggesting he may return to Chelsea[LNB], one day. "I think so, but I'm not saying when," he teased.[LNB]Perhaps it was aimed at Ancelotti, who insisted again after the game he did not want to leave Milan for the Bridge. [LNB] AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti is desperate to keep Beckham at the San Siro [LNB]Mourinho rarely misses a chance to make mischief.[LNB]Dejan Stankovic squandered a glorious early chance but Adriano opened the scoring in the 28th minute with a highly dubious goal which skidded off his head, onto his arm and over the line.[LNB]The Inter bench burst onto the pitch but Mourinho played it cool in his overcoat and scarf, slowly climbing out of the dug-out to clasp Adriano's hand.[LNB]Stankovic made amends for his miss, three minutes before the break, charging untracked into Milan's penalty box to collect a knock-down and drive it into the net.[LNB]Adriano ought to have killed the game when he was clean through at the start of the second half but missed the target with his left foot.[LNB]He was then within inches of reaching a low cross from Zlatan Ibrahimovic as Milan threatened to collapse but Inzaghi's introduction injected Milan with new life.[LNB]Alexandre Pato pulled a goal back with 20 minutes to go and Inzaghi was distraught when he had an effort ruled out for offside. [LNB] Inter Milan boss Jose Mourinho congratulates goalscorer Adriano[LNB]Inter defended desperately and survived.[LNB]Mourinho has not lost at home in a league game for 110 matches, stretching back seven years and his team are in powerful form, ominously for Manchester United[LNB], who visit Inter in the Champions League next week.[LNB]"We need 33 points, 11 victories, for the title," said Mourinho and insisted his comments about a return to Chelsea were about the distant future.[LNB]"I simply said I am a professional, I want to work in the best league in the world the Italian, Spanish or English.[LNB]"I think I have 15 years ahead of me to keep managing and why not return to Chelsea one day. [LNB]"But one day is not today or tomorrow or next season. It will be when it will be."[LNB] 'Indispensable' Beckham hopes to seal move after Milan derby[LNB]Beckham booked on his historic night as England are outclassed by Spain[LNB]Beckham: 'I have nothing against Galaxy, but I want to stay in Milan'[LNB]Galaxy must grant Becks his wish and let him join Milan permanently, insists Gullit[LNB][LNB] [LNB]
