Internazionale's final day title win on Sunday was a greater thrill than their runaway triumph last year, according to Patrick Vieira.
A 2-0 win against Parma earned the Nerazzurri their third successive Serie A championship by three points from Roma, whose bid came to an end with a disappointing 1-1 draw at Catania.
Just over 12 months ago, the Nerazzurri had the title sewn up in April on their way to losing just one game all season, but midfield veteran Vieira admitted that being pushed all the way to the line made ultimate victory all the sweeter this time around.
"This Scudetto is more beautiful than last year," said the France international.
"Compliments to Roma, who gave it all, but I think the strongest team won it.
"We went through a rough patch, but we came through it and showed that we are a big club."
While Vieira was happy to wax lyrical after Sunday's game, the strained relationship between Inter and the Italian media was very much in evidence elsewhere.
Coach Roberto Mancini refused to address reporters after the match due in the wake of the bad press his side received following their league defeat to city rivals AC Milan earlier this month.
Inter captain Javier Zanetti was more forthcoming, however, and was quick to hit back at the club's critics.
He said: "This was a great response from the squad.
"After losing the derby, everybody became fans of Siena [Inter's penultimate opponents] and after that game, everybody wanted Roma to win.
"There have been so much rubbish said about us for two weeks, but today, we are the ones who are celebrating again."
Meanwhile, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who scored both goals on Sunday, simply told the press: "You talk, I play."
Inter returned to Milan immediately after the game in Parma to receive the trophy at the San Siro before the celebrations continued in Piazza Duomo.
Inter now must turn their attentions to trying to seal a domestic double in next Saturday's Coppa Italia final against Roma, by which time the future of coach Mancini should be clear.
Speculation over Mancini's position at the helm has persisted since he backed down on a threat to leave the club at the end of the season following their elimination from the Champions League against Liverpool earlier this year.
Mancini's position is still shrouded in uncertainty, and after sealing a third league crown on the trot, reports suggest the 43-year-old is keen to depart on a high.
Zanetti revealed that a meeting between Inter president Massimo Moratti and Mancini will take place this week, with an announcement over the coach's future expected to be made on Wednesday.
Inter's general manager Ernesto Paolillo said: "We all want Mancini to stay because it is the team and the coach who have deserved this.
"I hope all these rumours end and that our champions can rediscover some tranquillity."
Just over 12 months ago, the Nerazzurri had the title sewn up in April on their way to losing just one game all season, but midfield veteran Vieira admitted that being pushed all the way to the line made ultimate victory all the sweeter this time around.
"This Scudetto is more beautiful than last year," said the France international.
"Compliments to Roma, who gave it all, but I think the strongest team won it.
"We went through a rough patch, but we came through it and showed that we are a big club."
While Vieira was happy to wax lyrical after Sunday's game, the strained relationship between Inter and the Italian media was very much in evidence elsewhere.
Coach Roberto Mancini refused to address reporters after the match due in the wake of the bad press his side received following their league defeat to city rivals AC Milan earlier this month.
Inter captain Javier Zanetti was more forthcoming, however, and was quick to hit back at the club's critics.
He said: "This was a great response from the squad.
"After losing the derby, everybody became fans of Siena [Inter's penultimate opponents] and after that game, everybody wanted Roma to win.
"There have been so much rubbish said about us for two weeks, but today, we are the ones who are celebrating again."
Meanwhile, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who scored both goals on Sunday, simply told the press: "You talk, I play."
Inter returned to Milan immediately after the game in Parma to receive the trophy at the San Siro before the celebrations continued in Piazza Duomo.
Inter now must turn their attentions to trying to seal a domestic double in next Saturday's Coppa Italia final against Roma, by which time the future of coach Mancini should be clear.
Speculation over Mancini's position at the helm has persisted since he backed down on a threat to leave the club at the end of the season following their elimination from the Champions League against Liverpool earlier this year.
Mancini's position is still shrouded in uncertainty, and after sealing a third league crown on the trot, reports suggest the 43-year-old is keen to depart on a high.
Zanetti revealed that a meeting between Inter president Massimo Moratti and Mancini will take place this week, with an announcement over the coach's future expected to be made on Wednesday.
Inter's general manager Ernesto Paolillo said: "We all want Mancini to stay because it is the team and the coach who have deserved this.
"I hope all these rumours end and that our champions can rediscover some tranquillity."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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