Napoli and Inter Milan's surprise draws have kept the Serie A title race alive, with both managers set to miss their decisive final matches.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Conte and Inzaghi both sent off on SundayNapoli lead Serie A and Inter by just one pointBoth have winnable home games to finishFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
In a tense penultimate round of Serie A, league leaders Napoli were held to a goalless draw by relegation-threatened Parma. On the same day, Inter's 2-2 draw with Lazio featured a dramatic 90th-minute penalty equaliser by Pedro, following a handball by Yann Bisseck. Both managers, Antonio Conte and Simone Inzaghi, were sent off during their respective matches and will be absent from the touchline in the final round.
AdvertisementAFPTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Napoli maintain a slender one-point lead over the Nerazzurri heading into the final matchday. Conte's side will host Cagliari, whereas Inzaghi's men visit the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia to take on Como. If both teams finish level on points, the Serie A title will be decided by a playoff match, a scenario introduced after the 2021-22 season.
Getty Images SportWHAT ANTONIO CONTE SAID
According to Gianluca Di Marzio, Conte clashed with several Parma players on the bench during the match at the Stadio Tardini, leading to red cards for both him and Parma manager Christian Chivu. The Italian expressed his frustration after the match, saying: "It irritates me, because you work all year to have a decisive match." He criticised Parma's time-wasting tactics and emphasised his trust in his staff and players to secure the title in his absence.
AFPWHAT NEXT?
Both of the final matches have been scheduled simultaneously to ensure fairness, with the games taking place on Friday evening. If Napoli win they clinch the title regardless of Inter's result. If Napoli draw and Inter win, Inzaghi's side will lift the Scudetto. If a playoff is required, it is likely to take place in the middle of next week – potentially just three days before Inter face PSG in the Champions League final.