Juventus, Napoli and Roma have secured Champions League football for the 2016-17 season following Inter's loss to Lazio on Sunday.
Roberto Mancini's side had still been in the hunt for a third-place finish until their most recent defeat, but with only two games left to play they can no longer make up the points required to catch Roma.
Miroslav Klose dealt an early blow to Inter's chances at the Stadio Olimpico when the veteran German striker opened the scoring after just eight minutes.
And Antonio Candreva killed off the match towards the end from the penalty spot, after Mancini's men had tried and failed to break down Lazio's stern resistance.
A win for Inter would have kept their hopes alive at least until Monday, where they would have needed Roma to drop points away to Genoa in order to continue the fight.
But the Nerazzurri will have to settle for Europa League football next term, while the three top teams in Serie A gear up for the biggest challenge.
Attention will now turn towards the battle between Napoli and Roma for the second automatic spot in the Champions League.
Napoli could clinch second place if they prevail at home to Atalanta and Roma fail to win, condemning the capital side to a Qualifying Round fixture in order to reach the group phase in 2016-17....
- Goal