Goal! Weekly Article 16: European League Wrap 2

INTER LEAVE IT LATE
Madrid, PSV, Celtic secure consecutive titles
By Julius Ross

The Serie A title was finally decided last weekend when Internationale Milan defeated Parma 2-0 on the final day of the season.

Inter striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, playing his first game in a month after returning from a knee injury, was the hero as his double eventually sealed the victory which saw them finish three points ahead of AS Roma who drew 1-1 at Catania.

Inter had been threatening to secure their third Scudetto in a row and 16th in total for several weeks; however the Milanese side had struck a poor patch of form heading into their final fixtures.

The side had seen their 11 point lead at the top of the table in February reduced to one point, with Roberto Mancini’s side failing to wrap-up the title in the previous two weekends before the penultimate day of the season.

Inter knew that a victory would be enough to see off the title challenge from Roma, however they were cautious of the fact that a slip up could see the trophy they had had their hands on for several months, easily snatched from their grasp.

Inter’s late form collapse was initiated by a 2-0 loss at the hands of Liverpool in the Champions League in February, and the Nerazzurri failed to win their next three league matches against Sampdoria, Roma and Napoli.

Although recovering slightly in early March, later that same month the side again went without a win in three matches against Genoa, Juventus and Lazio.

As early as May 4th Inter had the chance to finally wrap up the campaign, but the side’s attempt to win against fierce city rivals AC Milan proved futile, Mancini’s side suffering a 2-1 loss.

Inter again had the chance to secure their third consecutive Scudetto the following week, but the side could only manage a 2-2 home draw against mid-table Siena.

A festive and expectant crowd had filled the San Siro in anticipation for the title decider, but they watched their side twice surrender their lead and witnessed Marco Materazzi fail to convert a late penalty.

The same weekend Roma did the job away to Atalanta; a 2-1 victory shot them to within one point of Internationale, heading into the decisive round of the Championship.

But although they had flirted dangerously with defeat, the San Siro was the scene of victorious celebrations last Sunday as Inter were presented with the Serie A trophy after returning from the match at Parma, later than night.
In Spain, the title race has been somewhat less dramatic, with Real Madrid defending their La Liga title well before last weekend’s final fixtures.

The Los Blancos finished eight points clear of second placed Villarreal and celebrated their final match of the season in style by demolishing relegated side Levate 5-2 at the Bernabeu.

The emphatic victory was yet another resounding defeat the Madristas have inflicted on their opposition since securing the title back on May 4th with a 2-1 away victory over Osasuna.

Five days after they secured their second consecutive La Liga title and 31st in total, Madrid celebrated by smashing fierce rivals Barcelona 4-1 in front of a packed and partying Bernabeu.

Madrid’s surge towards the title saw them go undefeated in their last eight matches, and the combination of Raul’s 18, Ruud van Nistelrooy’s 16 and Robino’s 11 goals for the season capped a fantastic season in the Spanish capital.

From Spain to Scotland and Celtic secured their third consecutive title last Thursday, as they defeated Dundee United 1-0 and Rangers lost 2-0 to Aberdeen.

Heading into the final fixtures of the season equal on points, Celtic held the advantage via a superior goal difference and came up with the goods to beat their cross-town rivals to the trophy.

Rangers failed to bounce back from their European defeat against Zenit St Petersburg, and the Gers will be supremely disappointed at their late season collapse which has seen them lose two trophies in the space of two weeks, and miss out on the chance to claim a unique treble.

Their disappointment was lifted slightly this weekend when they claimed the Scottish Cup with a 3-2 victory over Queen of the South.

In Holland, PSV wrapped up their fourth consecutive Eredivise title by finishing three points clear of rivals Ajax Amsterdam .

Their 21st title was secured via a final day 1-0 victory over Vitesse Arnhem and sealed automatic qualification into next season's UEFA Champions League.