vered from his decision despite some rather animated objections from Yost and fir

MILAN -- Speaking for the first time as coach of Inter Milan, Stefano Pioli said Thursday he is targeting a quick return to the Champions League.Inter is ninth in Serie A, eight points behind third-place AC Milan and the final Champions League spot.We need to have a winning mentality, Pioli said. The squad has the right values to play in a concrete and winning way. The aim is to get them to play with passion, thats how well become a strong team.I would be happy if we get to the Champions League. Last year at this time Inter was first and (eventual champion Juventus) was way down, we all know how it finished. I dont want anyone to be under any illusions. It wont be easy but there is time to do it.The last time Inter was in the Champions League was in 2011-12, when it was knocked out by Marseille on away goals in the round of 16.Pioli replaced Frank de Boer, who was fired last week after Inter lost seven of 14 matches in all competitions. He is Inters ninth coach since Jose Mourinho led the club to a treble in 2010.Pioli, who has said hes always been an Inter fan, faces rival AC Milan in his first match on Nov. 20, after the international break.We have a very important month coming up, Pioli said. We will have eight matches in a month, we will need everyone. I will make sure everyone is ready. Above all, I want everyone to have the right attitude.Pioli spent nearly two seasons in charge of Lazio. He led the Rome club to a third-place finish in his first campaign, but was fired last April after a 4-1 derby loss to Roma.Besides Lazio, the 51-year-old Pioli previously coached his hometown club Parma plus Chievo Verona, Palermo and Bologna in Serie A. In 218 matches as a Serie A coach, his teams have a record of 73 wins, 62 draws and 83 losses.He has been given an 18-month contract at Inter.Im not worried about my future, Pioli said. Im just focused and motivated. Im coaching Inter, I cant think about anything else but that. I will give everything. My contract doesnt matter, the only thing that matters is the good of Inter.De Boer was hired less than two weeks before the season began following the unexpected resignation of Roberto Mancini, who reportedly wanted more control over the transfer market and clashed with Suning, the Chinese retail giant that took control of 70 percent of Inter in June.Inters youth squad coach, Stefano Vecchi, was given temporary control of the senior team for a 2-1 loss at Southampton in the Europa League on Thursday -- leaving the Nerazzurri last in their group -- and a 3-0 win over last-place Crotone on Sunday in Serie A.Germaine Pratt Youth Jersey . The 20-year-old Pelicans big man glanced up and smiled widely at the well-wishers -- a fitting end to a day he wont soon forget. Davis responded to his selection earlier in the day as a Western Conference All-Star with 26 points and 10 rebounds, and the New Orleans Pelicans overcame a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat the Minnesota Timberwolves 98-91 on Friday night. Cincinnati Bengals Jerseys . The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the Lions have not announced the hiring, which was first reported by ESPN. Lombardi, the grandson of former Green Bay Hall of Fame coach Vince Lombardi, has been an offensive assistant on Sean Paytons New Orleans staff since 2007. http://www.bengalsrookiestore.com/Bengals-Anthony-Munoz-Jersey/ . -- The Bishops Gaiters are showing they belong among the countrys top varsity football teams. Michael Jordan Bengals Jersey . Houston won 3-0 to advance to face New York in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Last in the game, Di Vaio and Romero got into a shoving match with several Houston players. Romero appeared to elbow and kick Houston defender Kofi Sarkodie. Ryan Finley Womens Jersey . - The Washington Redskins have cut defensive lineman Adam Carriker and punter Sav Rocca.KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Oakland Athletics had the go-ahead run in the seventh inning thrown out at third base. Three walks in the eighth provided the Kansas City Royals with the eventual winner. As far as Bob Melvin was concerned, that was only part of the misery. The As twice squandered leads thanks to their three errors, and a balky bullpen and some poor base running contributed to a disheartening 4-3 defeat on Saturday. "That was a very poor game," the mild-mannered Oakland manager said afterward. "The way we started and the way we ended. A very bad game for us." Was there anything particularly bad? "I wish it was one thing," Melvin responded. "It was a very poor game." The Royals had rallied to tie the game on a sacrifice fly by Eric Hosmer in the seventh, and then loaded the bases on an error and a pair of walks by reliever Ryan Cook. Jarrod Dyson, hardly known for his power, showed bunt on his first pitch from Cook (1-2) before hitting a grounder deep behind second base. Shortstop Adam Rosales fielded it cleanly but didnt even bother with a throw as pinch runner Alcides Escobar scored the go-ahead run. It was Rosales whose error allowed the inning to continue. "Its going to stick with me for a little while," he said. Aaron Crow (6-3) worked the eighth and Greg Holland handled the ninth for his 20th save, wrapping up Kansas Citys first win in five tries against Oakland this season. "Theyve been grinder games. Their pitching staff is very, very good. Their starting rotation is very good," Royals manager Ned Yost said. "We just scrapped it. We scrapped it out." Mike Moustakas homered and Billy Butler drove in a run for the Royals, while Alex Gordon walked three times and reached on an error in his return to the lineup. Hed missed the last two games after a scary collision with the outfield wall Wednesday night against Cleveland. "Once I got the Adrenaline going and did some work, it felt pretty good," Gordon said. Josh Donaldson homered and drove in two runs to lead the As, who struck right away when Josh Reddick sent a single to centre for a 1-0 lead in the first inning. The Royals ttried to get the run back in the bottom half when Miguel Tejada singled and reached second on a groundout.ddddddddddddMoments later, Elliot Johnson hit a grounder toward third with two outs and appeared to be safe when the throw pulled first baseman Brandon Moss off the bag. Umpire Marty Foster ruled him out, though, and never wavered from his decision despite some rather animated objections from Yost and first base coach Rusty Kuntz. A bright sun and flat sky started to cause problems after that. The As had two aboard with one out in the third when Donaldson hit a high popup down the right-field line. Johnson chased it from second and outfielder David Lough sprinted in from right while Hosmer tried to camp under it from first base — all to no avail. The ball fell in fair territory, allowing John Jaso to score for a 2-0 lead. In the bottom half of the inning, Dyson led off with a weak pop foul behind the plate, but Jaso couldnt locate the ball in the sun after discarding his mask. The As catcher comically had to cover his head with his glove while the ball plopped onto the field next to him. Dyson followed with a single to right, and after a stolen base and errant pickoff throw, he scampered home from third on Butlers groundout to get the Royals within 2-1. Moustakas added his two-out homer in the fourth to tie the game, and Donaldsons solo shot leading off the sixth restored Oaklands one-run cushion. The Royals knotted the game again when they loaded the bases with one out in the seventh and Hosmer hit a sacrifice fly to centre. Jarrod Parker wound up going 6 1-3 innings for the As after leaving his last start with tightness in his right hamstring, but it was the bullpen that let his team down. "I think we played good baseball," Rosales said. "We just couldnt finish it, thats all." Notes: As DH Yoenis Cespedes was back in the No. 3 spot in the lineup after getting dropped to No. 6 on Friday. ... Escobar was given the day off from the starting lineup because hes been "grinding," Yost said. The SS is also expected to get the day off Sunday. ... RHP A.J. Griffin will start the series finale for Oakland against Royals RHP Luis Mendoza. ' ' '