The Italian Serie A championship is set for a dramatic conclusion this Friday as Napoli and Inter Milan prepare to face their last league matches separated by just one point at the top of the table.
The league announced the schedule for the 38th and final matchday on Monday, with Napoli leading on 79 points and set to host mid-table Cagliari. Inter Milan, trailing closely behind on 78 points, will visit Como, currently in 10th place.
Napoli can clinch their fourth Serie A title with a win or by matching Inter’s result on the day. However, if Inter wins while Napoli loses, Inter will retain their Scudetto crown.
Both teams will be without their head coaches, Antonio Conte of Napoli and Simone Inzaghi of Inter, who were suspended following incidents in Sunday’s matches. Conte was sent off after a heated argument during Napoli’s 0-0 draw at Parma, while Inzaghi was dismissed following his reaction to a penalty decision in Inter’s 2-2 draw against Lazio.
A complex scenario looms if Napoli loses and Inter draws, leaving both sides level on 79 points. In this case, a historic play-off will be required to decide the champion on May 26, just five days before Inter’s Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain. Such a play-off has only occurred once before in Serie A history, in 1964, when Inter lost to Bologna.
The final round fixtures (all times GMT unless stated) include:
Friday
-
Napoli vs Cagliari
-
Como vs Inter Milan
Saturday
-
Bologna vs Genoa (1600)
-
AC Milan vs Monza
Sunday
-
Atalanta vs Parma
-
Empoli vs Verona
-
Lazio vs Lecce
-
Torino vs Roma
-
Udinese vs Fiorentina
-
Venezia vs Juventus
As the title race tightens, all eyes will be on Napoli and Inter as they battle to claim Italy’s top football honor.
