Rui Costa sets sights on Juventus

Despite his obvious disappointment at AC Milan's UEFA Champions League semi-final elimination by FC Barcelona last night, midfielder Rui Costa insists there are plenty of reasons for the Rossoneri faithful to remain optimistic.

'Heads held high'
Rui Costa, who came on for Gennaro Gattuso in the 68th minute of the 0-0 Camp Nou draw as Milan chased the away goal they needed to keep the tie alive, said: "Even if we are leaving the Champions League, we are doing so with heads held high. This performance gives us the strength to keep fighting for the league title, to chase down Juventus. I am sure Milan will be back fighting for honours in this competition next season. We are a club that doesn't sleep and we will have a great team next year as well."

Juve slump
Two months ago, Milan made no secret of the fact that winning a seventh European Champion Clubs' Cup was their priority, after falling 14 points behind runaway Serie A leaders Juventus. However, with the Turin side having drawn five successive league games, Milan have moved to within three points of the summit. Consequently, Fabio Capello's enviable record of never having been lower than top spot in Serie A since taking over at the Stadio Delle Alpi in summer 2004 is under serious threat.

Run-in
Nevertheless, Juve remain favourites to retain the title and secure a 29th Scudetto, given their theoretically easier run-in over the final three rounds. The Bianconeri travel to AC Siena this weekend before hosting US Città di Palermo and finishing away to relegation-threatened Reggina Calcio. Milan, meanwhile, welcome AS Livorno Calcio before a tricky trip to Parma FC and a final-day visit of UEFA Champions League hopefuls AS Roma. The San Siro outfit may be out of Europe's élite competition but they will soon be back, perhaps even as Italian champions.