Inter Milan were officially crowned Serie A champions at the San Siro on Sunday following a 1-1 draw with Lazio. Despite Denzel Dumfries' late header securing the draw, the match's result was inconsequential as the Scudetto was already sealed weeks ago. However, the celebration was overshadowed by financial uncertainties looming over the club.

The trophy ceremony was held under a cloud of doubt as the club's owners, Suning, face a Tuesday deadline to repay nearly 400 million euros ($429 million) to the US fund Oaktree. A source informed AFP that it was "unlikely" Suning would meet this financial obligation, which could result in Oaktree taking control of Inter Milan, similar to how Elliott Management acquired AC Milan six years ago.

Inter captain Lautaro Martinez emphasized the team's focus on on-field activities, stating, "All we can do today is enjoy the moment, have fun at this party with our families and our fans." Meanwhile, sporting CEO Giuseppe Marotta maintained a positive outlook, asserting that the club was in a "solid" position.

Despite the official statements, a banner in the stands reading "Thanks Steven" hinted at fans' skepticism regarding Suning's future as the club's owners. President Steven Zhang, absent from Italy for a year, issued a statement on Saturday accusing Oaktree of jeopardizing Inter's stability, adding to the fans' unease.

Inter have enjoyed significant success under Suning's ownership since 2016, winning seven trophies, including two Serie A titles, and reaching two European finals. Coach Simone Inzaghi expressed gratitude for Zhang's support, saying, "I can only thank him for the organisation that I've found myself with at Inter over the past three years."

Serie A Relegation Battle

In other Serie A news, Sassuolo's 11-year tenure in Italy's top flight ended in dramatic fashion with a 2-0 loss to Cagliari and a last-minute draw between Udinese and Empoli. Goals from Matteo Prati and Gianluca Lapadula ensured Cagliari's place in Serie A, while Udinese's Lazar Samardzic scored a penalty in the 14th minute of stoppage time to equalize against Empoli.

The results left Sassuolo five points adrift of safety with one match remaining, confirming their relegation. Frosinone's 1-0 win at Monza further sealed Sassuolo's fate, highlighting the intense competition at the bottom of the table.

As Inter Milan celebrate their latest triumph, the club's future remains uncertain, with the financial deadline looming large over the newly crowned champions.