This would be the second time Inter Milan is facing such a conundrum. It was not too long ago in 2002 when having led throughout the season, Inter gave up the title in the last day of the league.

That might just be the case this time around and the implications might be way bigger than the last time around. Inter were 11 points clear in February and that gap has now been narrowed to just 1 point between themselves and closest challenger AS Roma. At that time, Inter was one of the most feared teams in Europe and some even tipped them to win the Champions League as well.

A string of below par performances saw them losing their lead to one that they would not relish come the last round. That string includes a 2-1 defeat to bitter neighbors AC Milan. That did not do their confidence any good although a game against bottom club Siena would helped them get back to the top where they would command a larger gap with second placed AS Roma. They drew 2-2 with Siena. Much to the dismay of the result, player Marco Materazzi even make a bundle of himself where a 78th minute penalty which could have handed the title to Inter during the 2-2 draw but saw his shot saved after much argument. Adding to that, he even stood in the way of a goal bound shot by Julio Cruz.

The defender was crucial in winning the World Cup but find himself at the loser’s end almost giving up the title altogether. Should they lose to Parma in the Serie A, people will always remember his undoings. The media even headlined “The Hero of Berlin returns to earth and loses his people” 

To say the least, Parma is fighting relegation and a win is a must to ensure survival in the top flight. If they lose to Inter, they will be relegated.

Parma had just sacked their coach Hector Cuper who was the Inter coach that lost the title in the final day of the league the last time around.