Inter dedicate title to Facchetti

FC Internazionale Milano paid tribute to former captain and president Giacinto Facchetti after being crowned Italian champions yesterday.

'Generosity and honesty'
Facchetti made 634 appearances for Inter during a glittering playing career and also served the club off the field, becoming president in 2004. He passed away in September but the Nerazzurri have ensured his memory lives on. "Winning this Scudetto is dedicated to Facchetti as it has the mark of his generosity and honesty," said Inter president Massimo Moratti after his side's 2-1 win away to AC Siena saw the Nerazzurri clinch their first Serie A crown on the pitch in 18 years.

Long wait
Inter were awarded last season's title as a consequence of the sporting fraud trial but the fans – there were nearly 50,000 of them celebrating in Piazza del Duomo last night – and players were eager to win it in their own right. "I have waited so long for this moment," said Inter captain Javier Zanetti, who was Moratti's first signing back in 1995. "The whole Inter family deserved this joy. I dedicate this title to everyone who loves Inter and to members of our family who are no longer with us like Facchetti, [former director] Peppino Prisco and [former player] Benito Lorenzi."

'Immense joy'
Inter have won 26 of their 33 league games, losing their first against AS Roma last Wednesday. Marco Materazzi is one of the symbols of the side and fittingly he scored twice in the decisive win against Siena. "I want to dedicate this victory to everyone who stood by me when I was going through hard times," said the defender who also scored during Italy's FIFA World Cup final win against France last summer. "I'm a very lucky man as I played a crucial role in both the World Cup final and the match that gave Inter the Scudetto. It is an immense joy."

Mancini announcement
Despite their success this season, and a Coppa Italia final with Roma to come, Inter are already building for the future. During the title celebrations Moratti revealed coach Roberto Mancini has already signed a new contract, although no details and no official announcements have yet been made. "If Moratti said so, then I'm happy," the Nerazzurri coach said. "The important thing, however, was to win the title. We played an exceptional season and to win with five games left to play is something extraordinary."

'Scream of joy'
The final word went to midfielder Esteban Cambiasso, who also paid tribute to Facchetti at Inter's moment of victory. "He left us but his memory gave us an extra motivation to win this title," the Argentinian international said. "This victory is for him and for the Inter fans. After suffering so much over the past few years now they can scream of joy and not listen to anything else."