Sun May 18 11:15:42 2008

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Ibrahimovic saves the title for Inter

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Parma, Italy (Sports Network) - Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored two second-half goals to help Inter Milan secure its third straight Serie A title on Sunday with a 2-0 win over Parma at Stadio Ennio Tardini.

Ibrahimovic didn't start the match, but his arrival as a substitute in the second half sparked the Inter attack to life, and he scored goals in the 62nd and 80th minutes to keep Inter on top, while Parma will be headed down to Serie B next season after the loss.

Roma entered the day just one point behind Inter after they closed an 11-point gap between the sides in February, but after Mirko Vucinic put Roma ahead 1-0 eight minutes into the game, Jorge Andres Martinez equalized in the 85th minute for Catania to give his team a 1-1 draw, leaving Roma in second place for the second straight year.

Inter looked sluggish in the first half and they failed to seriously threaten the Parma net. Maicon's volley from inside the area that sailed over the crossbar marked Inter's best chance of the half and it looked like they would struggle to find a goal.

The home side produced the best scoring opportunity in a lackluster first half from a corner kick as the ball was swung into the area and ended up on the foot of Stefano Morrone six yards from goal. The Parma midfielder was left open at the back post and given time to bring the ball down before thrashing a shot into the legs of Inter goalkeeper Julio Cesar.

Ibrahimovic was brought on in the second half to liven up a stale Inter attack, and he nearly had an immediate impact, taking the ball 40 yards from goal and getting to the top of the box before dragging a shot wide of the left post.

Inter was beginning to look better in attack and they found the elusive breakthrough in the 62nd minute. Dejan Stankovic was the recipient of a pass from the back in midfield and he slipped the ball to Ibrahimovic, who took a few touches before driving a perfect shot into the bottom left corner to put Inter ahead.

The Swedish striker continued to cause problems for the Parma defense as he took the ball on the right wing and found Mario Balotelli inside the box with a short pass. Balotelli then turned and fired a quick shot that rolled just wide of the far post, and the visitors had Parma back on their heels.

Maicon tested Parma goalkeeper Nicola Pavarini with a low drive from 20 yards before Ibrahimovic had an effort kicked aside by the keeper.

The pressure continued to mount and the visitors found a second goal to secure their title 10 minutes from time. Ibrahimovic got on the other end of a Maicon cross and volleyed it home from close range at the back post, putting an end to the drama.

AC Milan came into Sunday trailing Fiorentina by two points, and even an impressive 4-1 win over Udinese was not enough to get the Rossoneri into the top four as the Viola edged Torino 1-0.

Milan fell behind 1-0 at halftime but scored all four of its goals in the second half to get the win. However, Pablo Daniel Osvaldo scored in the 76th minute for Fiorentina, giving his team a 1-0 win and the final Champions League spot for next season, sending Milan to the UEFA Cup.

With Parma relegated and Catania safe, it is Empoli that will be headed down along with Livorno. Empoli went down fighting on Sunday, beating Livorno 2-1, but they still finished one point behind Catania and will be part of Serie B next season.

Lazio ended a disappointing campaign with a 2-1 win over Napoli, Massimo Maccarone scored twice to help Siena earn a 2-2 draw with Palermo,Nicola Amoruso converted a penalty kick in the 86th minute to give Reggina a 2-2 draw with Cagliari and Atalanta blanked Genoa 2-0.