Africa-Press – Kenya. Bologna’s stoppage-time winner against Inter Milan on Sunday has teed up the prospect of a play-off to determine where the Serie A title could go this season.
“Our championship does not end here,” Inter manager Simone Inzaghi said after the loss.
Inzaghi is right – leaders Inter Milan and second-placed Napoli, who are separated only by goal difference, still have five games left as they battle it out for the Scudetto.
However, the potential of a sixth fixture hangs on the horizon if they remain deadlocked after the 38-game campaign concludes.
Serie A re-introduced a rule in 2022 stating that if two teams competing for the title, or fighting relegation, finish level on points then they are required to meet in a play-off.
Goal difference would still play a role though with the team boasting the better record earning the opportunity to host the one-off tie.
If the play-off ends in a draw after 90 minutes – and both meetings between Inter Milan and Napoli this season have finished in that fashion – then the game goes straight to penalties.
How did we get here?
Inter Milan have spent most of the season playing catch-up with Napoli and they finally reached the summit of Serie A on February 22.
A win against Genoa before Napoli lost at Como opened up a three-point gap for the defending champions.
Inter and Napoli played out a draw on 1 March, allowing Inzaghi’s side to maintain their advantage.
That slim lead was wiped over the weekend when Scott McTominay’s strike earned Napoli a 1-0 win at Monza while Inter conceded in the 94th minute to lose at 10-man Bologna.
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