As the curtain draws on another campaign, the fascinating state of play in Italy means Monza’s relegation is the only confirmed scenario, with three games still to play. Find Serie A permutations below, as we unpick some possible scenarios that could transpire before May 25.
Serie A Title Permutations
Inter Milan’s well-documented capitulation came at precisely the wrong moment in their season.
Consecutive 1-0 defeats in the league saw them relinquish a three-point lead in the blink of an eye, and they now find themselves scrambling to catch up with new leaders Napoli, who have established a three-point cushion of their own.
Antonio Conte and Gil Azzurri have snatched their chance to move clear with aplomb, and although the tantalising prospect of a winner-takes-it-all Serie A playoff would’ve been a true spectacle, it is hard to see Napoli slipping up from here.
All of their remaining fixtures feature opponents in the bottom half, although the added threat of relegation may make some those teams more prickly than usual.
Inter Milan’s season has, of course, jumped back on the straight and narrow after a breathless semi-final victory against Barcelona, but they must overcome several taxing league fixtures if they are to stand a chance of catching up with the leaders.
Not least welcoming Lazio on the penultimate match day on May 18, who are chasing European qualification themselves, while a sticky trip to Como — who are on a five-game win streak in Serie A — could be another bump in the road.
Atalanta can mathematically still win the Scudetto, but it would take a downfall of epic proportions from the two frontrunners.
Inter’s Remaining Fixtures
- Torino vs Inter (11th May)
- Inter vs Lazio (18th May)
- Como vs Inter (25th May)
Napoli’s Remaining Fixtures
- Napoli vs Genoa (11th May)
- Parma vs Napoli (18th May)
- Napoli vs Cagliari (25th May)
Serie A European Qualification Permutations
You are unlikely to find a more fascinating European qualification run-in than that of Serie A’s this season.
It is worth noting the finishing spots yield these rewards;
- Champions League: Positions one to four
- Europa League: Fifth place, Coppa Italia winners
- Conference League: Sixth place
It is interesting to also note that AC Milan’s Copa Italia final against Bologna could — depending on who wins the trophy — mean that finishing seventh in Serie A would result in a Conference League place.
Napoli and Inter Milan have locked up their Champions League spots for next season, but as many as seven other teams could all theoretically qualify.
There are a whole host eventualities that could come to fruition over the next few weeks, and the majority of the contenders face each other in various combinations.
For example, fifth-place Bologna play Juventus, Milan and Fiorentina in their hunt for Champions League football.
Serie A Relegation Permutations
Much like the top of the table, we could well see a playoff situation unfold at the close of play.
Hellas Verona beat Spezia 3-1 in 2022-23 to avoid dropping down to Serie B, and should 17th and 18th finish level on points, a similar match could be required.
Monza’s relegation back to Serie B, where they spent 40 consecutive seasons before 2022’s promotion, was confirmed on match day 34 after Atalanta put them to the sword with a four-goal drubbing.
From Cagliari in 14th, all the way down to Empoli, every team has a chance of facing relegation.
There are some hugely important fixtures between now and the end of the season, with Lecce facing Hellas Verona on May 11, while Empoli face both Monza and Hellas in their final two fixtures.
Parma have arguably the hardest run of the bunch, Napoli and Atalanta on the horizon, as well as a relegation battle with Empoli.
