Napoli are closely pursuing Inter Milan as the Serie A title race enters an exciting Easter weekend, with Antonio Conte’s side facing struggling Monza on Saturday and poised to capitalise on any slip-ups.
Only three points lie between Napoli and the defending champions, Inter, and a second Scudetto in three seasons is firmly within reach, thanks to a manageable schedule and no distractions from other competitions.
Inter are riding high and aiming for a treble after advancing to the Champions League semi-finals, but their calendar is packed, with the second leg of the Italian Cup semi-final against AC Milan looming after a challenging match against Bologna this Sunday.
Conte has a prime opportunity to wrestle the title away from the club he led to glory in 2021, alongside in-form striker Romelu Lukaku, particularly after taking over a team that started the season in considerable disarray.
The 55-year-old assumed managerial duties last summer, following Napoli’s disastrous title defence, which marked the worst in Serie A history, and saw key players like Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia wanting to leave.
Conte has reshaped Napoli in his vision, with Lukaku and Scotland’s Scott McTominay standing out among the reinforcements brought in from Chelsea and Manchester United in August.
“We’re right there, just three points behind Inter, which seemed impossible at the season’s start. Our goal was to be a disruptor, and we’re achieving that,” Conte stated after Monday’s 3-0 victory over Empoli.
“Napoli deserves credit for keeping this title fight alive.”
Having recently defeated another relegation-threatened club, Napoli will see Monza as even more vulnerable, as the latter’s relegation appears almost assured with the team owned by the Berlusconi family.
Monza has managed to amass only five points since the new year and suffered three consecutive defeats, a poor streak that has left Alessandro Nesta’s side 12 points adrift of safety with six games to play.
Following the Easter weekend, Napoli will play just one team from the top half of the table – 10th-placed Torino – while Inter will face Roma and Lazio in the closing weeks of what could be a historic campaign.
Barcelona presents a formidable challenge for Inter as they target a spot in the Champions League final in Munich, after a thrilling 4-3 aggregate triumph over Bayern Munich on Wednesday.
“I’m fortunate to lead a squad that features not only top-class players but outstanding individuals as well,” Inzaghi remarked after the win over Bayern.
The brief Easter Sunday fixture against Bologna might influence the pursuit for a top-four finish, with Atalanta competing against Milan in an attempt to solidify their position in third place.
Bologna is currently fifth, trailing Juventus by two points, who occupy fourth place and will complete the Easter fixtures against Parma on Monday. They are four points behind Atalanta following a 2-0 defeat in Bergamo last weekend.
Player to watch: Scott McTominay
Scottish midfielder McTominay has made a seamless transition to life in Naples since his arrival from Manchester United, and he is poised to reach double figures in goals during his inaugural season in Italy.
This season, he has scored nine goals across all competitions, including an impressive brace on Monday with assistance from Lukaku.
There’s a strong possibility he will surpass his personal best of 10 goals achieved in his penultimate Premier League season, with Napoli set to play four teams who are fighting relegation in their remaining six matches.
Key statistics:
3 – Napoli sit three points behind Inter with six games left to play.
8 – McTominay’s goal tally in Serie A this season.
Fixtures (times CET):
Saturday
Lecce vs Como (15:00), Monza vs Napoli (18:00), Roma vs Verona (20:45)
Sunday
Empoli vs Venezia (15:00), Bologna vs Inter (18:00), AC Milan vs Atalanta (20:45)
Monday
Torino vs Udinese (12:30), Cagliari vs Fiorentina (15:00), Genoa vs Lazio (18:00), Parma vs Juventus (20:45)
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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