Napoli-Inter Milan Scudetto Competition Drama

Napoli is fighting to maintain a one-point lead at the top of the standings against Inter Milan in the 37th week of Serie A Italy. In addition to the drama of the Scudetto battle, the duel for the remaining Champions League spot and the competition in the relegation zone are also entering a crucial week.

The heat of the Scudetto competition could even end with a playoff match, if Napoli and Inter have the same points after 38 matches. However, Napoli holds the fate of the champion in their own hands, and can secure the Serie A title this week if they can beat hosts Parma while Inter loses when hosting fifth-placed Lazio, Monday (19/5/2025) at 01.45 WIB.

Serie A has different rules from other top leagues in Europe in determining the champion when the top two teams have the same points in the final standings. If other leagues, such as the English Premier League, determine the champion by goal difference, Serie A applies the playoff match rule.

The top two teams with the same points will meet in a single match like a final. The winner will be crowned champion. Goal difference remains the deciding factor, with the team with the better goal difference getting to host the playoff. The same rule also applies to teams fighting to avoid relegation.

Napoli stumbled in the 36th week match after being held to a 2-2 draw by Genoa on May 11, 2025, reducing their lead at the top to one point from the previous three points. Inter managed to close the gap after defeating Torino 2-0 in the same week.

"It is very frustrating because we should have won with the chances we created and how we played. It is truly disappointing not to win a match like this," said Napoli coach Antonio Conte to DAZN after the match against Genoa.

"I have no issues with the performance; we had 11 shots on target. We just need to keep pushing forward and win the remaining two matches. That is what we must do," Conte added.

Currently, Napoli is at the top of the standings with 78 points while Inter has 77 points. The playoff scenario could happen if from the remaining two games, Inter only adds one point and Napoli fails to add any points or if Inter adds four points and Napoli only gets three points.

Visiting the lower-ranked team, Parma, Napoli is set to lose one of its key midfielders, Stanislav Lobotka, who sustained an ankle injury during the match against Genoa. Nevertheless, they also have some good news. Winger David Neres and defender Alessandro Buongiorno are likely to return to the squad after beginning their recovery from injuries.

Napoli remains unbeaten in their last 10 matches, but they must not slip up again as they did against Genoa. This is because Inter is currently on a momentum after their victory over Torino and the euphoria of reaching the Champions League final after eliminating Barcelona in the semifinals.

Inter lost their top position to Napoli after suffering consecutive defeats in the 33rd and 34th weeks, each by a score of 0-1 against Bologna and AS Roma, respectively. However, the team coached by Simone Inzaghi bounced back in the following two matches, giving them another chance to defend their title. Before defeating Torino, Inter secured a 1-0 victory over Verona.

Inzaghi stated that he will continue to rotate players to maintain the squad's fitness for the Champions League final match against Paris Saint-Germain on May 31.

"I need to rest several players after a tough and long season. For the players who are absent today (against Torino), I think they will not play against Lazio, but we will see in the last match against Como. People say Inter has a small squad, but we indeed do not have a budget like PSG, Manchester City, or Bayern Munich. We need to be better in organization. With spirit, we can fight against everyone," said Inzaghi.

Lazio is not an easy opponent for Inter as they are currently vying for the remaining ticket to the Champions League. They are now in fifth place in the standings with 64 points, only trailing by goal difference from fourth place, Juventus. Italy has a quota of four representatives for the Champions League next season.

"Unfortunately, the fate of the Scudetto is no longer in our hands, but we must continue to play with focus. We must give our all," said Inzaghi.

Meanwhile, Juventus will host Udinese with the aim of securing a position in the top four. The top three positions are occupied by Atalanta, which is no longer attainable. The threat comes not only from Lazio but also from AS Roma, which is just one point behind in sixth place. Roma will host AC Milan, which is in eighth place with 60 points.

Bologna, which recently won the Coppa Italia after defeating Milan last Wednesday, is in seventh place with 62 points. They will visit Fiorentina, which is in ninth place with 59 points.

At the bottom of the table, Monza is certainly relegated to Serie B. They still have a role to play in determining which other team will accompany them as they host the second-to-last ranked team, Empoli, which has the same points as Lecce, who will host Torino. (AP/REUTERS)