Inter Milan on brink of 21st Scudetto as Chivu faces former club Parma

Key facts

• Inter Milan need one point to clinch their 21st Serie A title with three rounds remaining.
• Cristian Chivu's side drew 2-2 with Torino last week after leading 2-0, ending a four-match winning streak.
• Federico Dimarco set a Serie A record with 17 assists this season, providing both goals against Torino.
• Inter have scored 80 league goals, the third-highest among Europe's top five leagues behind Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
• Parma have won their last two matches 1-0 without conceding, securing top-flight survival.
• Inter's last home loss to Parma was in 2018, when Dimarco scored his first Serie A goal for the visitors.
• Chivu previously coached Parma to safety last season and dismissed any sentimental feelings ahead of the match.

One point from glory

Inter Milan stand on the cusp of securing their 21st Serie A title, needing just a single point from Sunday's home fixture against Parma at San Siro. A victory would seal the Scudetto outright, while even a draw would suffice if city rivals AC Milan fail to win earlier in the day. The Nerazzurri have dominated the league all season, boasting a home goal difference of +32 — the club's best at this stage of any campaign since the late 1950s.

Chivu's determination after Torino setback

Cristian Chivu's side saw their four-match winning streak halted last weekend when they surrendered a 2-0 lead against Torino, settling for a 2-2 draw. The head coach acknowledged the psychological toll of the collapse, saying, 'When you are up 2-0, you think everything is easy and that you have everything under control. Then, you concede to make it 2-1 because of a mistake while playing out from the back, and the ghosts start creeping in.' He added that the comeback 'could have ended even worse' and took responsibility for the team's mindset. Despite the setback, Inter remain nine points clear of Napoli, who drew 0-0 with Como on Saturday.

Dimarco's record-breaking season

Federico Dimarco has been a pivotal figure in Inter's campaign, setting a new Serie A record with 17 assists this season. Against Torino, he set up both goals — his 16th and 17th assists — before the opposition fought back. Dimarco's contributions have helped Inter score 80 league goals, a tally surpassed only by Barcelona and Bayern Munich among Europe's top five leagues. The wing-back also holds a personal history with Parma: he scored his first Serie A goal for the Gialloblu during their last win at San Siro in 2018.

Parma's survival and historical challenge

Parma arrive in Milan having secured their top-flight status with two consecutive 1-0 victories over Udinese and Pisa, keeping clean sheets in both. However, their record at San Siro is daunting: they have beaten Inter in Milan only once in league history, a 3-1 win in May 1999. The Emilian club also lost the reverse fixture this season, though Dimarco scored for them that day. Chivu, who coached Parma to safety last season, dismissed any sentimental attachment, stating, 'Zero. I'm only focused on my job and my duty.'

Domestic double in sight

Securing the Scudetto on Sunday would allow Inter to turn their attention to the Coppa Italia final against Lazio, where they can complete a rare domestic double. Chivu emphasized the team's focus on finishing the job, saying, 'We need three points, and we want to kill it off as soon as possible.' The coach stressed the importance of transmitting 'serenity and ambition' to his players as they approach the decisive match. With three rounds remaining after Sunday, an early title win would also provide rest ahead of the cup final.

The bottom line

• Inter Milan can clinch the Serie A title with a win or draw against Parma on Sunday, depending on AC Milan's result.
• Cristian Chivu's side bounced back from a 2-0 lead collapse against Torino, but remain nine points clear of Napoli.
• Federico Dimarco set a Serie A assist record with 17, and Inter's 80 league goals rank third in Europe's top five leagues.
• Parma have won their last two games without conceding, but have only beaten Inter in Milan once since 1999.
• Chivu, a former Parma coach, dismissed any emotional ties ahead of facing his old club.
• A title win on Sunday would allow Inter to focus on the Coppa Italia final against Lazio for a potential domestic double.