By CLEMENTE LISI

Inter Milan will retain their Serie A title if they defeat AC Milan in next Sunday’s derby after the league leaders defeated Cagliari 2-1.

Second-placed AS Roma — six points behind Inter with three games left but with a worse head-to-head record — made sure the title race would continue for another week by routing Torino 4-1 at home. “The important thig is not when we win the title, but that in the end we win it,” Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini told Italian state broadcaster RAI following the game.

Milan still have lots to play for against Inter after Filippo Inzaghi netted a hat trick in a 4-1 win at Livorno. In next week’s hotly-contested derby, Inter can both clinch the title and deny their city-rivals a spot in next season’s Champions League.

Daniele Gastaldello’s late header gave Sampdoria a 2-2 tie against fourth-placed Fiorentina, meaning AC Milan are just two points behind the Florence-based club in the race for the final Champions League qualifying spot.

Juventus, in third place, secured their berth to next season’s Champions League following a 5-2 demolition of Lazio, while Reggina came from behind to beat Parma, 2-1, in the big game at the bottom of the standings.

In other scores: Napoli tied Siena, 0-0; Empoli 1, Genoa 0; Udinese 2, Catania 1; and Palermo and Cagliari played to a scoreless tie.