Thirty games played, two historic clubs battling for glory, and two iconic managers leading well-drilled squads—it all sets the stage for what, in racing terms, would be called a ‘photo finish’ to the 2024/25 Italian Serie A season.
Inter Milan and Napoli are locked in a fierce race for the coveted Scudetto, with just three points separating them.
Neck and neck they have been, with little to call between both teams—not even when they faced off over two legs—barring the slender advantage Simone Inzaghi’s Inter holds over their rivals from Naples.
With the league now entering its final stretch and title permutations in full swing, all eyes turn to the run-in for the Italian crown.
Italian Serie A title Run-In:
Inter: Chasing consecutive Scudetto titles
The Nerazzurri are widely regarded as the overwhelming favorites to clinch the Serie A title—and it’s easy to see why. Given their dominance this season, it’s no surprise that many stakeholders have backed Inter to go all the way. They are the reigning champions, the most consistent team throughout the campaign, and boast a formidable squad that strikes the perfect balance between experience and youthful energy under Simone Inzaghi’s guidance.
Moreover, their ability to grind out wins, even in the toughest circumstances, further solidifies their status as the front-runners as the season reaches its climax. Everything seems to be falling into place for Inter to reclaim the crown. However, while all signs point in their favor, winning the title is always easier said than done.
Napoli: Resurgence Under Antonio Conte
Napoli have found a new lease on life under Antonio Conte, swiftly moving past the Victor Osimhen saga and the shock January departure of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Now, they look like a team reborn, with the battle-hardened and experienced Romelu Lukaku leading the charge.
Credit where it’s due—Conte, with his tactical brilliance and subtly unorthodox motivational methods, has transformed a side that once looked off the pace into genuine Scudetto contenders.
If there were any lingering doubts about Napoli’s ability to push Inter all the way in the title race, their recent 2-1 victory over AC Milan—a team Inter have failed to beat in their last three meetings—was a statement of intent.
Even with key players like Scott McTominay and Leonardo Spinazzola sidelined, Napoli have managed to maintain their momentum. Conte’s ability to adapt his tactics to different opponents has been a crucial factor in their resurgence. If they can keep this winning streak alive, an upset in the title race might just be on the horizon.
Key fixtures that could decide both sides’ Scudetto fate:
Inter’s remaining fixtures
A few twists and turns could still shake things up in the final stretch of eight fixtures, but which team truly has the potential to derail Inter’s pursuit of back-to-back Scudetti? Let’s take a closer look at the challenges that lie ahead.Of the eight remaining matches standing between the Nerazzurri and title glory, three are against top-half sides—Bologna, AS Roma, and SS Lazio—all battling for a spot in next season’s UEFA Champions League. In the reverse fixtures, Inter narrowly edged Roma 1-0, settled for a draw against Bologna, and convincingly dismantled Lazio with a staggering six-goal performance.
Napoli’s remaining fixtures
Napoli, on the other hand, will face several lower-half teams in their final eight fixtures, with the exception of a tricky away trip to Vincenzo Italiano’s Bologna. While these matches may seem like straightforward victories on paper, the Serie A standings suggest otherwise. As is often the case in modern football, smaller teams fighting for survival can spring unexpected upsets against bigger sides.
That said, Napoli comfortably dispatched all eight of these opponents in their previous meetings, which bodes well for another strong run of results as they push toward the season’s climax.
Squad depth/injuries
Inzaghi’s Inter head into the final stretch of fixtures with a formidable squad, though not without a few setbacks.
Captain Lautaro Martínez is set for a spell on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, midfield orchestrator Piotr Zieliński remains out with a shin problem, and dynamic wing-back Denzel Dumfries is also sidelined due to a muscle injury.
However, Inzaghi appears to have navigated these absences well, with Marko Arnautović, Matteo Darmian, and Davide Frattesi stepping in effectively. Still, despite their impressive form, the real test lies ahead. Whether Inter can maintain their high standards in high-pressure situations—especially with a UEFA Champions League quarter- final clash against German giants Bayern Munich on the horizon—remains to be seen.
Napoli, on the other hand, have a nearly full squad available for their final eight Serie A fixtures, with Leonardo Spinazzola the only notable absentee. Scott McTominay is expected to recover from a virus in time for their next match, and with a fit squad at his disposal, Antonio Conte will be counting on all his players for one last push in the Scudetto race.
Experience
While Napoli may have the advantage in terms of fixtures and squad availability, Inter hold the edge when it comes to experience. The Nerazzurri have retained the core of the squad that secured the 2023/24 Serie A title, with only fringe players like Alexis Sánchez, Davy Klaassen, Stefano Sensi, and Juan Cuadrado departing. Keeping a largely unchanged squad means Inzaghi’s men have a wealth of title-winning experience, which could prove decisive in the final stretch of the season.
Napoli, on the other hand, have had to cope with several key departures from their 2022/23 title-winning squad. Star attackers Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia have both moved on, while Piotr Zieliński has joined the aforementioned Inter. In addition to these major exits, several other fringe players—who played crucial roles in previous seasons—have also left the club. Although Antonio Conte has brought in reinforcements, many of them lack the experience of competing for and winning league titles, which could be a factor as the season reaches its climax.
The Road Ahead
With only a handful of fixtures remaining and just three points separating the two sides, the Serie A title race is primed for a dramatic twist. A slip-up from Inter could blow the race wide open, while a misstep from Napoli could see the title slip from their grasp. Currently, Inter Milan hold the advantage in points, but Napoli benefit from a nearly full-strength squad and what might be considered ‘easier’ fixtures. Moreover, having the tactical expertise of Antonio Conte at the helm is a factor that cannot be overlooked.
That said, if Inter keep up their relentless pursuit of victories—as they’ve shown in recent outings—Napoli’s challenges will become irrelevant, and they’ll seal back-to-back titles. However, if Napoli maintain their momentum and capitalize on any slip-ups from Inter, they could mount a memorable comeback to claim the Scudetto.
The final weeks of the 2024/25 Serie A season promise to be a spectacle, and every fixture is sure to carry immense significance.
