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Three-way race for the title, a fiery calendar for the contenders

2025-03-10 21:20:00, Sport CNA

The Italian championship has entered its hottest phase and, with only two months left, the race for the Serie A title has narrowed down to a strong trio: Inter, Napoli and Atalanta. With just three points separating them in the standings, these teams are fighting with every opportunity to secure the most important trophy in Italian football. Now, more than ever, the decisive factors will be physical condition, mental aspect and the match calendar.

A key moment in this battle will be the clash between Atalanta and Inter on March 16, a match that could significantly determine the fate of two of the contenders. Inter, who are still in contention for all of their season-long goals, will have to manage their fatigue and squad rotation more carefully than their direct rivals.

One of the key points on Inter's path is the clash with Atalanta, a crucial challenge that could determine the Nerazzurri's chances of the title. After a painful draw against Napoli, where Inzaghi's team missed a golden opportunity to extend their lead, the challenge against Atalanta becomes even more crucial. Atalanta is an unpredictable team, capable of going from a lukewarm 0-0 draw against Venezia to a devastating 4-0 victory against Juventus.

Next up, Inter will face other important obstacles such as Roma and Lazio, both at the San Siro, but the biggest challenge will be managing their energy between Serie A matches and other commitments. The Blues have a tough Coppa Italia semi-final ahead of them, which includes a double derby with Milan.

On the other hand, Napoli seem to have overcome their most difficult physical moment and are now back in the game. Despite injury problems, the team managed to beat Fiorentina and stay in the competition, not giving up even when the situation seemed complicated.

With 30 points still to play for, Napoli's calendar hides some dangerous challenges. In the coming weeks, a clash against Milan at the "Maradona" could prove vital, even though the Rossoneri of Cosensao are not going through a good period. Immediately after that, Napoli will have a difficult away match against Bologna, a team that has often shown the ability to cause surprises.

The biggest challenge for Napoli is the fact that they have a smaller squad compared to Inter and Atalanta, forcing their players to give their all in every match. Another important factor will be facing teams fighting for survival, which can be unpredictable and pose many problems for a team aiming for the title.

Of the three teams competing for the title, Atalanta probably has the most difficult schedule. However, Gasperini's team has shown that its biggest enemy is itself. When in form, Atalanta is a formidable team, capable of defeating any opponent, but a lack of stability could seriously damage it in the title race.

The March 16 match against Inter will be a big test for the ambitions of “La Dea”. If Atalanta manages to get a win and equalize with Inter in the standings, then they can realistically hope for the title. But their calendar does not leave much room for error. After this match, the Bergamo team will have to face strong teams such as Fiorentina, Lazio, Bologna and Milan, before playing against Roma in the final phase of the championship.

This difficult series of matches will put Atalanta under great pressure, forcing Gasperini to brilliantly manage his team and avoid the disappointing results that have hurt the team in the past.

If two or more teams finish level on points after matchday 38, the Serie A title will not be decided by goal difference or head-to-head results, but by a play-off. According to the regulations, if two teams are tied for first place, the deciding match will be played at the stadium of the team with the better head-to-head record. In the event of a draw after 90 minutes, the winner will be determined by penalties.

If three teams manage to finish the championship with equal points, then the “internal classification” will be used to determine which two teams will go to the playoff final. This is a scenario that increases the importance of the March 16 match between Atalanta and Inter, as it is the last match between these three direct rivals.