While Inter fans had been celebrating since last month when the Nerazzurri secured the Serie A title with five rounds remaining, the players finally got their hands on the trophy after the final home match of the season — a 1-1 draw against
The title was Inter’s 20th, earning it a coveted second star and after the match all the players wore special team shirts that had “20” and two stars on the back. They were each called out individually to walk to the stage and get their medals, with
The Inter captain then lifted the trophy up to cheers from a still-packed San Siro as fireworks were set off behind them.
The players paraded the trophy around the edge of the field and were joined by their close friends and family, who had been waiting in an area sectioned off for them near the stage.
The father of Inter forward Marcus Thuram was also present, proudly wearing an Inter shirt — albeit back-to-front so that his son's name was on his chest. Lilian Thuram, who won the World Cup with
Musicians and Inter fans Tananai and
Even questions over the financial status of the club couldn't dampen the spirits. There are reports that
“This is a matter for our shareholders … I can only guarantee that the club is very solid and, with Zhang at the helm we have followed a virtuous path on a balance sheet level,” Inter CEO
“Whatever decision the Zhang family takes, it will be for the good of the club that they love.”
The festivities started before kickoff as there was a spectacular pre-match choreography that covered every inch of the stands at San Siro to mark the occasion.
One side of the stadium had two stars on it and the Scudetto symbol, while the other spelled out the phrase “champions of Italy.” The ends had the Inter logo and the number 20.
RELEGATED AFTER 11 YEARS
Sassuolo was relegated from Serie A after 11 years in the Italian top flight.
A 2-0 loss at home to
RELEGATION FIGHT
There are four teams at risk of finishing in 18th spot and following Sassuolo and bottom club Salernitana – which was mathematically relegated last month – into Serie B.
Empoli currently occupies that spot after conceding an equalizer in the 14th minute of stoppage time in a 1-1 at Udinese.
Empoli thought it had got a valuable win against a direct rival for safety when M’Baye Niang converted a penalty in the final minute after Nicolò Cambiaghi was tripped by Udinese midfielder Lazar Samardžić.
However, deep in stoppage time Samardžić went from villain to hero by converting another spot kick to ensure Udinese remained a point above the bottom three.
Empoli replaced
Hellas Verona is the other team not yet safe but it has a match in hand, against Salernitana on Monday.
Roma’s chances of getting something from Sunday’s match appeared to diminish in the 72nd minute when
However,
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