Inter Milan Claim 21st Serie A Title with Straightforward Win Against Parma
Napolis goalless stalemate the day before ensured a single point sufficed, yet Inter complicated matters at the start by conceding a clear header to Enrico Del Prato from near point blank, although even if it had connected, the visitors might have avoided punishment due to an offside call.
Merely four minutes afterwards, Inter nearly struck back with a header of their own, as Denzel Dumfries directed wide after drifting inwards to connect with Nicolo Barellas delivery.
Even though Parma had already guaranteed their position in the prior fixture, they remained focused, and around the 20 minute mark, Mateo Pellegrino squandered a hasty volley despite having space to control the ball first.
The team in black and blue came within a whisker of opening the scoring during the latter part of the first period when Barella combined brilliantly with Petar Sucic and Pio Esposito prior to striking the crossbar from underneath, with Zion Suzuki hastily clearing the loose ball away before any Nerazzurri could capitalise.
Parma had managed shutouts in their last pair of outings, and they were on course for a potential third consecutive until stoppage time in the opening half.
A straightforward pass from Piotr Zielinski found Marcus Thuram, who composed himself before slotting in his sixth strike across the past five domestic encounters, handing Inter a lead at the interval.
The second period did not see an immediate barrage from the hosts, but facing opponents who had netted just 25 goals throughout the campaign, that solitary strike soon appeared sufficient for Cristian Chivus squad, where Sucics deflected attempt marked the sole effort from either team before the 60th minute.
As the closing 15 minutes approached, Federico Dimarco emerged as Inters key influence, breaking loose on the left flank twice to whip in threatening low crosses, though one arrived a touch late for Henrikh Mkhitaryan, while the following sailed high off Dumfriess boot.
Coming off the bench, Lautaro Martinez registered the initial effort on goal after the break by latching onto Barellas pull back, only to fire directly at Suzuki in the 78th minute, yet the follow up came merely two minutes hence, not only extending the advantage but clinching the championship.
On this occasion, Martinez supplied the assist, delivering a low centre from the right for Mkhitaryan to divert home with a slide.
Inter have now triumphed in five of their most recent six fixtures and remain undefeated in 11 home league games, though securing a second league honour within three seasons stands as the paramount achievement for the Nerazzurri.
An offside decision prevented Nesta Elphege from grabbing a late reply for Carlos Cuestas team, who endured only their second road loss in seven outings and extend their run to 10 head to head defeats in a row.