Inter clinch title on final day

Match-winner Zlatan Ibrahimovic is congratulated by Patrick Vieira

Inter Milan sealed a third consecutive Serie A title with a 2-0 win over relegated Parma on the final day.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, returning from injury, came off the bench to score twice to ensure Inter finished three points ahead of second-placed AS Roma.

Roma could only draw 1-1 at Catania, who stayed up at the expense of Empoli.

Fiorentina beat Torino 1-0 to secure the fourth and final Champions League spot, with AC Milan, who defeated Udinese 4-1, missing out in fifth.

Milan will play in the Uefa Cup next season, along with Sampdoria and Udinese.

Juventus finished third in the table, with striker Alessandro Del Piero finishing as Serie A's top scorer for the first time with 21, while Livorno were also relegated alongside Parma.

Juventus striker Alessandro Del Piero was Serie A top scorer in a season for the first time after his double in Saturday's 3-3 draw at Sampdoria took his tally to 21.

Inter had an 11-point lead at one stage and could have clinched the title a fortnight ago.

But their advantage was reduced following a loss to city rivals Milan and then a home draw with Siena.

All of Italy was rooting against us, which gives us even more pride Inter president Massimo Moratti

"After we lost the derby a lot of things were written about us," said Inter captain Javier Zanetti.

"Everyone was rooting for Siena and everyone wanted Roma to win, but unfortunately the party is still going to be in Milan. This was a group response."

Ibrahimovic, sidelined for six weeks because of a knee injury, came on in the 51st minute in the driving rain at Parma's Ennio Tardini stadium and scored one goal with each foot.

In the 62nd, he used his right foot to connect on a low shot from beyond the area.

The Swedish international then volleyed in a cross from Maicon with his left foot in the 79th to seal the title for Roberto Mancini's side.

"He had hardly trained. He's a phenomenon," Inter midfielder Dejan Stankovic said of Ibrahimovic.

Inter fans were barred from attending the game in Parma, but some supporters did make it into the stadium while thousands of others celebrated outside.

Captain Javier Zanetti is mobbed by Inter fans after the game

"All of Italy was rooting against us, which gives us even more pride," said Inter president Massimo Moratti.

Stankovic added: "It was tough, but we're the best because we've led the standings for two years. It's better to win it like this, in the final round."

Roma needed to beat Catania to keep their hopes alive and took the lead after just eight minutes courtesy of a stunning goal from Montenegro forward Mirko Vucinic.

He took the ball from out on the right flank, beat three men with a combination of skill and pace and then fired a cross shot past Albano Bizarri and just inside the far post.

Jorge Martinez levelled matters late on for the visitors to keep them up, but by then the destination of the title had already been decided.

Inter had looked destined to claim their 16th scudetto back in February, but they looked more and more shaky as the season wore on, allowing Roma to cut into the Nerazzurri's once seemingly unassailable lead.

Roberto Mancini's future has been the source of much speculation

An early elimination from the Champions League by Liverpool in the second round did not help and showed their domestic rivals that they could be beaten.

Immediately following the loss to Liverpool, Mancini announced that he would resign at the end of the season, then changed his mind after meeting with Moratti a few days later.

However, there has been recent speculation Mancini could be leaving, with Premier League Chelsea a possible destination.

Inter insist Mancini is going nowhere.

"Mancini is staying, everyone can be calm," said Moratti, while general manager Gabriele Oriali added: "I'm 101% sure Mancini will stay with the same commitment to keep winning and doing well for Inter, I can guarantee it."