Tired Inter Milan face rejuvenated AS Roma amidst Napoli's intense title race challenge
The Pressure's On: Inter Milan's Marathon Season Hits a Rough Patch
Things aren't looking pretty for Inter Milan as they prep for a face-off against AS Roma this upcoming weekend. The Serie A titans have gone three consecutive matches without a win, leaving them anxiously eyeing their challengers. With Napoli hot on their heels, Simone Inzaghi's side can't afford any more missteps.
Inter, currently locked in a close race with Napoli for the top spot, confront a red-hot Roma squad on a remarkable 17-match unbeaten league streak. Wednesday's Coppa Italia exit at the hands of city rivals AC Milan has only upped the ante for Inter, who still have their sights set on Champions League glory with a two-legged semi-final bout with Barcelona looming.
As Inzaghi aptly put it after the loss, "We've had a more packed schedule than others, but it's not an excuse." The absence of key players Denzel Dumfries, Piotr Zielinski, and Marcus Thuram due to injuries might further complicate matters as the champions' legs grow weary and their grip on the Scudetto loosens each week.
Meanwhile, Napoli seems to be cruising, with Sunday's home clash against 10th-placed Torino possibly representing their toughest remaining obstacle on the road to potential triumph. Focused solely on the league campaign without European or domestic cup distractions, the Neapolitans are eyeing a fourth consecutive home victory to clear their toughest hurdle.
The chase for fourth place has evolved into a five-team dogfight, with Juventus in fifth place, just a point behind fourth-placed Bologna. Lazio, Roma, and Fiorentina trail close behind—each still within striking distance of Juventus.
Scotland international Scott McTominay has emerged as Napoli's unlikely linchpin, scoring an impressive nine goals and providing two assists in Serie A this season. Centre-back Alessandro Buongiorno may also return to action soon after missing Napoli's last three Serie A games.
Juventus, who are still gunning for a top-four finish, should encounter few problems when they host rock-bottom Monza this weekend. With relegation all but guaranteed for the visitors, Juve has a prime opportunity to rebound from their lackluster 1-0 loss to Parma. The race for fourth has become a fierce five-team tussle, and Juventus will be eager to claim their spot.
Third-placed Atalanta finds itself in a favorable position, five points ahead of Juventus with 64 points, but still needs to ensure a top-four finish. Their quest to fortify their third-place standing at home to Lecce on Friday faces a delay following a tragic incident, with the game scheduled for rescheduling.
- Inter Milan, currently in a tight race with Napoli for the top spot in Serie A, will face a challenging AS Roma squad that boasts a remarkable 17-match unbeaten league streak.
- The ongoing absence of key players, Denzel Dumfries, Piotr Zielinski, and Marcus Thuram, due to injuries could further complicate Inter's efforts to retain their Scudetto.
- Napoli, seemingly unfazed by distractions from European or domestic cup competitions, are focused solely on the league campaign and aim to secure a fourth consecutive home victory against 10th-placed Torino.
- Meanwhile, Scott McTominay, the Scotland international, has become Napoli's unlikely linchpin, scoring nine goals and providing two assists in Serie A this season, as they strive for a top-four finish.
