Milan, Italy – Inter Milan has not had much to celebrate this season, but Diego Milito bagged a hat trick in a 4-2 win at the San Siro on Sunday to deny AC Milan the chance to repeat as title-holders.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic recorded a brace for Milan in the derby match while Maicon added a late goal for Inter to complete a memorable win in Ivan Cordoba's final match at the San Siro as an Inter Milan player.
Inter claimed the lead through Milito in the 14th minute as the Argentine slammed a close-range effort into the back of the net.
The score was level at a goal apiece after a challenge from Julio Cesar on Kevin-Prince Boateng in the box saw Milan awarded a dubious penalty decision just before the break. Ibrahimovic converted from the spot despite Cesar's attempts to intimidate the Swede.
Ibrahimovic ignited the start of the second half with a well-taken goal inside the opening minute. He collected a pass at the top of the box, cut into the penalty area and slipped a shot past an on-rushing Cesar to give Milan the lead.
That advantage was short-lived as Inter answered six minutes later. Ignazio Abate tugged Milito down in the box and the Argentine made no mistake with the ensuing kick, hammering his effort into the upper corner.
Inter grabbed the winning goal in the 80th minute, once more from the penalty spot. The Nerazzurri were awarded their second spot-kick of the match when a cross was blocked by the hand of Alessandro Nesta, and Milito roofed the ensuing penalty once more to complete his hat trick.
Maicon put an exclamation point at the end of the emphatic win with a stunning strike three minutes from time. The Brazilian defender took advantage of the space afforded to him and sent a laser into the upper corner from long-range, ending any hopes of a Milan comeback.
Inter improves to 58 points on the season as it clings to an outside chance of clinching a Champions League qualification spot. The Nerazzurri trail third- place Udinese by three points, but must make up 10 goals in the goal differential category on the final matchday of the season in order to clinch the spot.
AC Milan will conclude the season in second place, entering its final game with 77 points on the season.
Juventus 2, Cagliari 0
Cagliari, Italy - Juventus clinched its 28th title in Italy's top flight on Sunday as its 2-0 defeat of Cagliari, along with AC Milan's 4-2 loss to Inter Milan, saw the Bianconeri go four points clear atop the Serie A table with one match to go.
Mirko Vucinic put the Turin club in front after just six minutes, but it was Michele Canini's own goal 16 minutes from time that sealed the result and doomed Cagliari to its second straight defeat.
Juventus, with 22 wins and 15 draws through 37 league games, can still make history in its final league match of the season as it will look to preserve its unbeaten record this term.
Udinese 2, Genoa 0
Udine, Italy - Udinese improved its odds of claiming third place with a 2-0 win over nine-man Genoa at the Stadio Friuli on Sunday.
Antoni Di Natale put Udinese in front with a free kick following Juraj Kucka's sending off in the 29th minute. Rodrigo Palacio was given his marching orders for Genoa in the 38th minute, and Antonio Floro Flores wrapped up the affair in the 66th minute, making use of the two-man advantage.
Udinese sits two points clear of fourth-place Lazio as it looks to secure a Champions League berth, while Genoa needs a point from its final game of the season to ensure top-flight status next season.
Lazio 2, Atalanta 0
Bergamo, Italy - Lazio improved its chances of Champions League soccer next season, claiming a 2-0 victory over 10-man Atalanta at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia on Saturday.
Libor Kozak put the visitors in front with his 35th-minute strike. Atalanta had Guglielmo Stendardo sent off eight minutes from time, helping Lazio secure the win with an extra man as Lorik Cana sealed three points in the 90th minute.
The win lifts Lazio into fourth place above Napoli after its disappointing defeat Sunday. Atalanta has lost two straight, sitting 11th in the table on 46 points.
Bologna 2, Napoli 0
Bologna, Italy - Napoli's hopes of Champions League play for next season took a major hit Sunday as it faltered in a 2-0 loss at Bologna.
Alessandro Diamanti put Bologna in front in the opening period against the run of play, but Matteo Rubin was able to solidify the result in the 64th minute and claim a third straight win for his side.
The shock result was marred slightly by red cards issued to Bologna's Archimede Morleo and Napoli's Blerim Dzemaili in the dying minutes.
Parma 2, Siena 0
Siena, Italy - Parma continued its impressive Serie A form on Sunday by claiming a 2-0 win over Siena, its sixth straight in league play.
A tame opening period was brought to life by Sebastian Giovinco's brilliant strike midway through the second half. Sergio Floccari went on to seal the victory in stoppage time.
Siena has lost two of its last three, sitting 14th in the table on 44 points.
Palermo 4, Chievo 4
Palermo, Italy - Palermo and Chievo exploded on the offensive end as the two sides played to a 4-4 draw in a dramatic affair at the Stadio Renzo Barbera on Sunday.
Fabrizio Miccoli scored twice inside the opening 20 minutes to get Palermo off to a dream start at home, but Sergio Pellissier and Fernando Uribe leveled the score by halftime.
Chievo took a two-goal lead in the second half thanks to Sequeira Luciano in the 46th minute and Pellissier's second of the match, but Palermo earned a point as Miccoli completed his hat trick in the 74th minute and Matias Silvestre equalized in the 89th minute.
Novara 3, Cesena 0
Novara, Italy - Marco Rigoni notched a hat trick at the Stadio Silvio Piola on Sunday as Novara claimed a 3-0 win over last-place Cesena.
Both sides are assured relegation to Serie B next season, but Rigoni gave the Novara supporters cause for celebration in the dying stretch of the campaign with goals in the 29th, 68th and 85th minutes on Sunday's win.
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