Italy: Inter Hold on to Scudetto

Despite some late-season struggles, Inter Milan held on to win their third-straight Serie A title with a 2-0 win over Parma.  A pair of second-half goals by Zlatan Ibrahimovic were enough to give the Nerazzuri their 16th title.

Their pursuers, AS Roma, applied the pressure by taking a 1-0 lead at Catania Calcio in the 8th minute.  A Roma win and an Inter draw would have sent the crown to the capital city, but with their title hopes dashed once Inter took a 2-0 lead, Roma surrendered a late equalizer to draw 1-1.

The day's other significant result saw Fiorentina hold off AC Milan for fourth place and a spot in next year's Champions League.  Milan trailed Udinese 1-0 at the half, but four second-half goals sparked a 4-1 rout.  That put the pressure on Fiorentina to get a win at Torino, and Pablo Osvaldo's 76th minute strike was all the Viola needed to secure fourth.   

Race Continues in France, Italy

The races in Italy and France will go down to the final weekend, as neither Inter Milan nor Lyon could wrap up consecutive titles Sunday.  Inter missed out on a chance to secure the Scudetto for the second straight week, drawing 2-2 at the San Siro against Siena.  Roma's 2-1 win over Atalanta brought them to within a point of Inter with one game to play.  Both teams are away to relegation-threatened sides next week; Inter face Parma, while Roma finish at Catania.  

In France, Lyon defeated Nancy 1-0, but Bordeaux remained two points back of the six-time defending champs with a 2-0 win over Sochaux.  Next week, Lyon are at Auxerre, while Bordeaux visit Lens.

Inter, Roma to Battle for Coppa Italia

Form has held in the Coppa Italia semifinals.  Serie A's top two teams will meet in the May 24 final when Inter Milan face Roma for the fourth consecutive year.  Roma's 1-1 draw with Catania today was enough to see them through 2-1 on aggregate.  Yesterday, Inter defeated Lazio 2-0 to win on aggregate by the same score.

Roma took last year's Coppa after Inter captured the previous two.  This year's tournament brings a new format to Italy- a single game final at the Stadio Olympico, abandoning the old two-legged format.