The most engaging title race across Europe’s big-five leagues will come to a conclusion on Friday, May 23.
Napoli and Inter head into the final matchday separated by one point at the top of Serie A. Antonio Conte’s side have a slender advantage, but after consecutive draws, they have handed the Nerazzurri some hope.
League organisers confirmed on Monday that the top two would play their final matches of 2024/25 on Friday, with the games kicking off simultaneously for the sake of sporting fairness. It means the battle for the Scudetto will be decided across the final 90 minutes of a 38-match season — unless Napoli and Inter finish on the same points.
The Sporting News breaks down the permutations and potential scenarios below, including the prospect of a championship playoff.
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Will Napoli or Inter Milan win Serie A title?
With one matchday remaining, Napoli are top of Serie A, with Inter Milan a point behind in second. One of these teams will be crowned champions on Friday, May 23.
Napoli will play Cagliari at home in their final game. The Sardinians are safe from relegation and cannot finish any higher than 14th in the standings.
Inter will kick off at the same time away at Como. Cesc Fabregas’ team are certain to finish in 10th place.
Both games are at 8:45 p.m. local time (2:45 p.m. ET).
Serie A title permutations, scenarios 2024/25
It seems like a reasonably straightforward shootout this week to decide who will win the Scudetto.
Napoli will win the title if:
- Napoli beat Cagliari
- Inter Milan lose to Como
- Both Napoli and Inter draw
Inter Milan will win the title if:
- Inter beat Como AND Napoli fail to beat Cagliari
If Inter draw with Como and Napoli lose, things could get very interesting.
What happens if Napoli and Inter finish level on points?
If Inter draw their final game and Napoli lose theirs, they will finish tied on 79 points.
Most leagues in Europe use goal difference or head-to-head record between the tied teams as a tie-breaker in this situation, but Italy does things a little differently.
If Napoli and Inter finish the season level on points, there will be a one-off match between the two to decide the champions.
This rule was reintroduced in Serie A for the 2022/23 season for teams either fighting for the title or battling against relegation. The Scudetto in 1964 was decided in this way: after Bologna and Inter finished level on 54 points, the Rossoblu won the play-off 2-0 at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico.
In 2022/23, Hellas Verona beat Spezia 3-1 in a play-off game to avoid relegation to Serie B and send their opponents down instead.
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