Napoli and Inter Milan head toward a thrilling Scudetto Finale
With just two rounds to go, Napoli leads Inter by a single point in a title race that could end midweek—or in a historic playoff
With just two rounds to go, Napoli leads Inter Milan by a single point in a title race that could end midweek—or in a historic playoff
The league is heading toward a breathtaking finale, with Napoli and Inter Milan separated by only one point (78 to 77) with two matches left to play.
The title could be decided on Thursday, May 22, during an unprecedented midweek round, or even through a playoff—an option reinstated in 2022 but not used since 1964.
“It could be a fiery Thursday, under the lights and not in the midday sun, but still a fierce battle to stitch the Scudetto on the shirt like a sheriff pins on his star.
Thursday, May 22 could crown the champion midweek, something never seen before, after a long head-to-head with constant ranking twists,” writes La Gazzetta dello Sport via Fcinter1908.it.
“After thirty-six rounds, we’re almost back where we started: Napoli 78 – Inter Milan 77. One point can be everything, but compared to the three-point gap last week, it’s almost nothing.”
If Napoli beats Parma and Inter lMilan oses to Lazio, the gap becomes unbridgeable: +4 and the title goes to Conte.
Otherwise... Napoli has its destiny in its own hands—winning against Parma and Cagliari would make Inter Milan’s results against Lazio and Como irrelevant.
A possible Scudetto Playoff? History could repeat itself
Since last Sunday, it's been all about overtakes and counter-overtakes. But what if it all ends in a playoff? In Serie A history, only one “extra-time” scudetto decider has occurred: in 1964, when Bologna defeated Inter Milan 2–0. Never again since.
The final matchday is expected to be played on Thursday the 22nd, precisely to make room for a possible playoff, which would be hard to schedule otherwise.
Playing the final round on Thursday frees up Sunday the 25th for a potential tiebreaker. Better safe than sorry.
After that, it’s impossible—because Inter Milan plays the Champions League final on May 31 in Munich against PSG, a team that has already secured its “non-demanding” domestic title and can now fully focus on rest and recovery—luxuries the Nerazzurri can’t afford.