Inter Milan are one step away from winning the Serie A title in the Milan derby when they face in-form Cagliari at the San Siro on Sunday. Davide Fratesi’s late winner for Udinese on Monday put Inter 14 points ahead of nearest challengers AC Milan and a chance to equal the record with five games remaining , won the Serie A title. As long as they beat Cagliari, Inter will ensure they have a chance to win the title against Milan, regardless of how their local rivals – who have won their last five league games – perform in Sassuolo .
Simon Inzaghi’s side should do just that as they have dropped points just once since the turn of the year, last losing a league game at the end of September.
Inter Milan also has the opportunity to break multiple league records, all-time scoring records and victory records, as well as the best defense in the 20-team season, all are up for grabs.
Inter and Milan both have 19 league titles locked up, so reaching a 20th title by winning six consecutive derbies would be a dream come true for Nerazzurri fans.
“We need eight points to be mathematically certain that we are playing against clubs who are either relegated or fighting for top spot,” Inzaghi said after the win over Udinese.
“We can’t afford to be distracted.”
The champions-elect have not been in top form since being knocked out of the Champions League by Atletico Madrid last month and they should not expect to have an easy time against Cagliari, especially with top scorer Lautaro Martin In case of suspension.
Claudio Ranieri’s side are four points clear of the relegation zone after losing just once in their last seven games.
In that match, Cagliari beat Napoli and beat Champions League chasers Atalanta, a spirit they will need if they are to avoid slipping into hellish runs against Juventus and Milan.
As the battle for European football heats up, Juventus aim to further cement their place in Italy’s top four with the local derby in Turin.
After back-to-back wins in the league and cup, Massimiliano Allegri’s third-placed side are struggling to hold off Bologna and fifth-placed Roma, who are due to play between now and the end of the season. vs. Juventus at home.
Bologna, trying to reach the Champions League for the first time, are four points behind fourth-placed Juventus ahead of Saturday’s trip to Monza, while Roma are three points adrift of Udinese.
A top-five finish should be enough to secure a place in Europe’s most prestigious club competition as Serie A vie for an extra spot in next season’s revamped championship.
Player to watch: Victor Osimhen
Nigeria forward Osimhen was a key figure in Napoli’s comeback from behind at Monza last weekend with a stunning leap and bullet header for his first goal in five games.
Napoli look well behind in the Champions League race, seven points behind Roma and coming off a dismal season as Italian champions.
However, Francesco Calzona’s side impressed at Monza and still have home games against Roma and Bologna.
With Roma’s schedule also including Juventus, Bologna and sixth-placed Atalanta, Osimhen’s form will be key to Napoli’s ability to achieve a surprisingly happy ending to a difficult season.
key statistics
102 – Serie A single-season points record, set by Juventus in 2014.
5 – Inter Milan are on course to equal their record Serie A title win with five games remaining.
Fixtures (GMT)
Friday
Lazio v Salernitana (1845)
Saturday
Lecce v. Empoli (1300), Turin v. Juventus (1600), Bologna v. Monza (1845)
Sunday
Napoli v. Frosinone (1030), Sassuolo v. AC Milan (1300), Udinese v. Roma (1600), Inter Milan v. Cagliari (1845)
on Monday
Florence at Genoa (1630), Atlanta at Verona (1845)
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Topics mentioned in this article
Follow us on Google news ,Twitter , and Join Whatsapp Group of thelocalreport.in
