Roma were left fuming on Sunday after Inter’s 2-0 victory over bitter city rivals Lazio allowed Jose Mourinho’s side to edge closer to a fifth successive Serie A title.
Inter’s win was cheered by Lazio fans, desperate to see second-placed Roma fail in their title bid, inside the Olympic Stadium.
“I never thought I would see with my own eyes what I saw tonight,” said Roma director Gian Paolo Montali, who criticized both the Lazio players and fans for their behavior.
“I believe even Inter and their coach are embarrassed. I believe that today it wasn’t only Lazio who lost but also sport and, in particular, our football,” Montali said.
With just two games Inter restored their two-point lead over Roma, who won 2-1 at Parma on Saturday and also stayed on course for a treble.
They face Roma in the Italian Cup final tomorrow and Bayern Munich in Madrid on May 22 in the Champions League final.
Inter face lowly opposition in their last two league games — Chievo at home next weekend before a trip to relegated Siena.
Roma also face Chievo a week after welcoming 14th-placed Cagliari.
However, Roma could have a “joker” to play because if the two sides are level on points at the end of the season, the capital city side would be champions thanks to their better head-to-head record against Inter.
A 1-1 draw in Milan was followed by a 2-1 home win at the Olympic Stadium.
On Sunday, Lazio fans, with their team languishing two places off the relegation zone, cheered when Argentine defender Walter Samuel headed in the first goal on the stroke of half-time from a Wesley Sneijder cross.
Inter piled on the pressure, but found Lazio goalkeeper Fernando Muslera in inspired form.
Muslera saved well from Maicon, Thiago Motta, Sneijder and Samuel Eto’o in the first half.
However, the home side’s resistance crumbled in the 70th minute when Motta scored from a Maicon corner.
At the final whistle, Lazio fans celebrated Inter’s win.
Earlier, Sampdoria and Palermo remained locked in battle for fourth place and the final Champions League qualifying spot after both recorded wins.
Sampdoria, who lead Palermo by two points, at times labored to a 2-0 success at home to rock-bottom and already relegated Livorno while the Sicilians held on to a 2-1 victory at Siena.
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