Cristian Chivu acknowledged Inter want to "kill off" the Scudetto "as soon as possible", ahead of their clash with Parma.

The Nerazzurri will secure their 21st Serie A title with victory over the Gialloblu at San Siro on Sunday.

Holders Napoli stayed within the title race after their goalless draw with Como on Saturday, moving them nine points behind Inter.

Chivu's side dropped two points last weekend after surrendering a 2-0 lead against Torino, and the head coach hopes his players can bounce back.

"When you are up 2-0, you think everything is easy and that you have everything under control," he said. "Then, you concede to make it 2-1 because of a mistake while playing out from the back, and the ghosts start creeping in; you get nervous.

"You begin to realise it won't be easy after all, especially when a few incidents go against you. In my view, the comeback could have ended even worse.

"Apparently, I didn't do my job properly when we were leading 2-0. I take responsibility, but it changes little. We need three points, and we want to kill it off as soon as possible."

Ironically, Inter could seal the Scudetto against their head coach's former employers, with Chivu having steered Parma to top-flight safety at the end of last season.

However, the Nerazzurri boss was quick to dismiss any sentimental links.

"Zero. I'm only focused on my job and my duty," he added.

"I don't think about emotions. I must prepare for the match as best I can and provide the right motivation.

"It's our dream. It started nine months ago. I think about taking home one of the season's objectives. I must transmit serenity and ambition, but also desire and the appropriate attitude; the rest doesn’t count."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Inter – Marcus Thuram

Since the start of April, Thuram has been directly involved in seven goals (five goals, two assists) in 322 minutes of play in Europe's top five leagues, the most of any player in that time (one involvement every 46 minutes).

This is the same number of goal involvements he registered in his previous 21 Serie A matches (one every 189 minutes on average).

Parma – Nesta Elphege

Elphege has been involved in a goal in each of his last three Serie A matches, with an assist against Napoli and goals against Udinese and Pisa.

The last Parma player to have been involved in a goal in more consecutive top-flight matches was Sebastian Giovinco (four between December 2012 and January 2013).

MATCH PREDICTION – INTER WIN

Inter are unbeaten in their last eight Serie A matches against Parma (W5 D3), scoring at least two goals in each of the last seven (15 in total).

The Nerazzurri have a home goal difference of +32, their highest after their first 17 home games in a Serie A season in the last 60 years.

Parma have won just two of their 28 Serie A matches away at Inter (D10 L16) – a 3-1 victory in May 1999 and a 1-0 win in September 2018. Only against Roma have Parma played more top-flight games (29) while winning fewer matches (just one).

The Gialloblu are looking to record three consecutive wins with a clean sheet for the first time in the competition since December 2002, under Cesare Prandelli.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Inter – 73.6%

Draw – 15.7%

Parma – 10.8%