Inter crowned champions again

Marco Materazzi scored twice as FC Internazionale Milano beat AC Siena 2-1 on Sunday to retain the Serie A championship with five games to spare.

Roma beaten
The win, coupled with second-placed AS Roma's 2-1 loss at Atalanta BC, gave Inter an unassailable 16-point lead. The Nerazzurri have 84 points from 33 games, Roma have 68. "The emotion is immense," Inter coach Roberto Mancini admitted. "The team have had an extraordinary championship. It is extraordinary to win five games from the end with a lead of 16 points. I'm happy for all Inter fans." It is the 15th league title in Inter's history, having been crowned champions last season for the first time since 1989 when Juventus were stripped of the title following the sporting fraud tribunal in Italy.

Late drama
Materazzi put Inter ahead in the 18th minute following a goalmouth scramble only for defender Paolo Negro to head in Siena's equaliser three minutes later. The Nerazzurri were not to be denied, however, and regained the lead on the hour when Siena keeper Alex Manninger brought down Julio Cruz and Materazzi converted the penalty. There was more drama as Inter were forced to play out the closing stages effectively with ten men because Brazilian defender Maicon was carrying an injury and coach Roberto Mancini had used all his substitutes.

Record triumph
Nevertheless, the Milan side claimed the championship with five games to spare, an achievement matched only by Torino FC (1947/48) and ACF Fiorentina (1955/56), as Rome lost at Atalanta. With Philippe Mexes, David Pizarro and Mancini all suspended, and captain Francesco Totti injured, the home team took full advantage and first-half goals from Cristiano Doni and Riccardo Zampagna set them on course for victory. Simone Perrotta reduced the deficit but an equaliser proved elusive.

Chievo hope
Roma remain eleven points clear in second, however, after S.S. Lazio were undone by a 71st-minute strike from Adrian Mutu at home to Fiorentina. AC Chievo Verona also prevailed by the odd goal as Erjon Bogdani capped a 2-1 second-half comeback against AS Livorno Calcio to move a point clear of the relegation zone, level with Parma FC who did their own survival hopes the power of good with a 4-3 win at high-flying US Città di Palermo. The dismissal of Marco Pisano for the hosts at 2-2 was a key moment, with the decisive goal coming from Giuseppe Rossi nine minutes from time. Parma moved a point above Reggina Calcio who drew 1-1 at home to Udinese Calcio, while Empoli FC played out a 0-0 with visiting Torino FC.