Fri May 16 14:20:49 2008

Comment | Email | Print

Inter hoping third time is a charm

---

Milan, Italy (Sports Network) - Inter Milan will attempt to retain the scudetto for the third consecutive week on Sunday with a win at Parma, which would give the Nerazzuri a third straight Serie A crown.

Inter could have wrapped things up two weeks ago with a win over rivals AC Milan, but Roberto Mancini's men fell 2-1. Last week, Inter was held to a 2-2 draw at home by bottom-half club Siena, while Roma has recorded wins in its last two games to move to within one point heading into Sunday's final day of matches.

Roma will visit another relegation-battling club in Catania, and should Inter fail to secure all three points on Sunday, Roma can steal the title with a win.

Should Inter drop points on Sunday, it would represent a monumental collapse, and have Inter fans remembering 2002, when the team lost the title to Juventus on the final day.

That season, Inter took a lead into the last day but lost 4-2 to Lazio, while Juve won to secure the crown.

This year's team held an 11-point lead in the middle of February, but they have gradually given points back over the past couple of months, and now the pressure is on to hold onto the trophy.

The loss to Milan was not easy to swallow, but three points looked to be a certainty against Siena at the San Siro.

However, after taking the lead on two separate occasions, Inter allowed Siena to equalize, and when Marco Materazzi missed a potential game-winning goal from the penalty spot with 12 minutes to play, a feeling of anxiety creeped into the team.

The pressure is clearly on the shoulders of Inter heading into Sunday, while Roma will be trying to get a win and get some help from Parma, which will have plenty to play for itself.

Parma must win the game if they are to have any chance at avoiding relegation because Catania holds a two-point lead, which will make Parma a tough opponent for the defending champs.

In another twist, supporters of both Roma and Inter will not be allowed to attend their respective matches due to concerns over fan violence.

Both the title and relegation will be decided in those two games, but there is still plenty of other things to be decided on Sunday.

Juventus has already secured third place and will play its final match against Sampdoria on Saturday. Juve is already headed to the Champions League while Sampdoria will be taking part in the UEFA Cup next season.

The fourth and final Champions League spot is still very much up for grabs with Fiorentina taking a one-point lead over AC Milan into Sunday.

The Viola is in a good position to claim the spot because they will be at Torino, while Milan faces a tougher test at home against Udinese.

Torino has already assured itself of a place in Serie A next season and will have nothing to play for, while Udinese is set for a UEFA Cup berth.

Napoli has enjoyed a successful return to the top flight this season and will visit Lazio, Palermo travels to Siena, bottom-half teams Reggina and Cagliari will meet at Stadio Sant'Elia, the bottom two teams in the league, Empoli and Livorno will square off and Atalanta will entertain Genoa.