18/05/2008 16:56
Ibra Brace Makes It Three-In-A-Row For Inter

The Swedish striker lifted the visitors in a game that was fast and furious
in rain-soaked conditions and his goals were celebrated by the thousands of
Nerazzurri supporters, despite the ban.

Roma had gone top during the game after taking the lead against Catania while
Inter struggled to find a way through, but Parma were unable to hold out and
they will now face a spell in Serie B.

Roberto Mancini's team looked to have done their best to throw the title
away, but a final day push saw them make it three-in-a-row and the party
began on the sodden pitch straight after the final whistle.

Those celebrations were also the end of a huge week of tension, as Inter
president's Massimo Moratti's celebrations in front of his Parma counterpart
proved.

Parma knew that they had one chance and they handed the responsibility of
securing a crucial win to youth team coach Andrea Manzo after sacking Héctor
Cúper earlier this week.

The new coach must have felt that his side could have taken the lead after 13
minutes when Stefano Morrone controlled the ball in the area from a corner,
but saw his snap shot turned away by the feet of Júlio César.

A minute later and Andrea Gasbarroni's curling cross from the left flank was
just too high for Igor Budan and it flew just past the far post.

Parma had lowered their prices to ensure that there would be a great
atmosphere and some fans were even able to see the game for as little as one
euro, but nobody had banked on the weather.

Incessant rain gradually played its part in the game and in the final minutes
the players were having to flick the ball out of the areas where it would not
run due the huge pools forming on the pitch.

By then the result of the game was beyond doubt after Parma had enjoyed a
long spell of pressing forward without truly impressing on the visitors' goal.

Before the break Luca Cigarini shot wide at one end  before Julio nodded past
the post at the other with neither keeper having to make any truly noteworthy
saves.

Inter's widemen were playing their part with Maicon going forward on one side
and Maxwell doing well on the other, while in theb centre Dejan Stankovic
tried his luck from long range and young Mario Bolatelli provided a cross
which was turned away by the Parma custodian.

Having warmed up during the break, Ibrahimovic was introduced shortly after
the restart and after finding his aim with two drives that went beyond the
far post, the Swedish striker marked his comeback after nine weeks out with a
goal.

Fernando Couto was committed and Ibrahimovic swung past him before sending a
low right foot shot beyond Nicola Pavarini and into the far corner of the net.

The celebrations were long and hard, but the game as by no means over with
Inter playing their risky strategy of sitting back to defend the slim lead, a
system that has cost them dearly before this term.

Parma, however, were unable to use their time on the ball to see how César
would handle the difficult conditions and when Inter broke out they always
looked more likely to add to the score.

That is precisely what happened in the 79th minute when Maicon escaped down
the right and lifted a superb cross to the far post where Ibrahimovic met the
ball to volley inside the near post.

It was game over in the race for the title and game over for Parma, whose
long descent finally met with an inevitable conclusion as they were relegated
along with Livorno and Empoli.

Lucas Brown, Goal.com
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