Inter Milan are losing track on the league leaders and subsequently losing grip on the scudetto if they continue to drop points. Thanks to Inter’s disappointing performances, their bitter rivals AC Milan are the leading candidates to lift the trophy at season’s end, while Napoli are inching closer and keeping the dream alive. We shouldn’t exclude Juventus yet, either. They are keeping the pace with the top sides even if they are still few points behind. Lazio and AS Roma continue to switch places, but this weekend we will see a crucial derby between the two teams that will define their season. Not many changes at the bottom of the table, but there are few teams that need to change their trend to avoid relegation.
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Title contenders
The teams that are in the race to win the scudetto this year.
1. AC Milan (-)
Another positive week for the now-clear-cut favorites the win the scudetto. Stefano Pioli’s side looks really strong mentally and physically after winning against Empoli at home thanks to the go-ahead goal from defender Pierre Kalulu. They theoretically have a pretty trouble-free set of fixtures in the next weeks that can give them the final boost needed to secure the title for the first time in 11 years.
Nine matches left: Cagliari (A), Bologna (H), Torino (A), Genoa (H), Lazio (A), Fiorentina (H), Hellas Verona (A), Atalanta (H), Sassuolo (A).
2. Inter Milan (-)
It’s been a difficult period for Simone Inzaghi’s side, which has looked like a shell of itself ever since the Derby della Madonnina defeat on Feb. 5. Much weaker mentally as they suffer trying to recapture their form having only won one league game since that disastrous derby result. Inter were by far playing the best soccer in Serie A until January, firing on all cylinders in attack and also defending well. What seemed like a certainty for a club destined to win back-to-back titles has vanished.
Ten matches left: Fiorentina (H), Juventus (A), Hellas Verona (H), Spezia (A), Roma (H), Udinese (A), Empoli (H), Cagliari (A), Sampdoria (H), Bologna (A, TBA when the game will be played)
3. Juventus (+1)
Don’t say we didn’t warn you. Juventus are creeping back and you shouldn’t write them off. Once again, they’ve proven to be legitimate contenders, and what’s more: They clearly have the smoothest schedule ahead, with the chance to beat a direct rival such as Inter Milan at home in two week’s time. This is going to be a defining moment for the title race. They’re in good shape and they will try to fight until the end, knowing that — for now — they still need to depend on the teams above them to slip up.
Nine matches left: Salernitana (H), Inter (H), Cagliari (A), Bologna (H), Sassuolo (A), Venezia (H), Genoa (A), Lazio (H), Fiorentina (A)
4. Napoli (-1)
The difficult fixture list looming is the only reason why we’re pegging Luciano Spalletti’s team one spot down to fourth, with dates against rivals and relegation-threatened sides. On the other hand, Napoli are showing to be a very solid side with Victor Osimhen now fully back as someone you can depend on delivering goals on a week-to-week basis. With nine Serie A goals to his name, including a brace last time out against Verona, he is someone Spalletti will need to rely on for crucial goals down the stretch.
Nine matches left: Udinese (H), Atalanta (A), Fiorentina (H), Roma (H), Empoli (A), Sassuolo (H), Torino (A), Genoa (H), Spezia (A).
European spots
Clubs that are fighting to play in Europe next season.
5. Atalanta (-)
What happened to Atalanta? After a solid start of the season
Their league performances took a hit in the past weeks, highlighted an unacceptable draw to a relegation-threatened Genoa side at home. After a hot start to the season, Gasperini’s team seems destined to fight for fifth place instead of the top four Champions League spots. Given the injuries to Duvan Zapata and Luis Muriel, their decision to not sign a striker in the January transfer window is coming back to haunt the club. Atalanta director Giovanni Sartori is also expected to leave the club at the end of the season, which could mark the end of an era and the start of a new cycle in the summer.
6. Lazio (+1)
Maurizio Sarri’s team is in good shape after beating Venezia and with a crunch derby date against AS Roma this weekend on Paramount+. Ciro Immobile cemented his legendary status at the club by surpassing Silvio Piola to become Lazio’s all-time top scorer with 144 career goals. Lazio and AS Roma are two extremely similar sides, especially in terms of results, and that’s why almost every week they flip flop in our rankings.
7. AS Roma (-1)
One week up, one week down. They’re down this week after Lorenzo Pellegrini rescued a draw against Udinese in the final minutes. The issue is still the same: Jose Mourinho has failed to solve the ups and downs of this team. After a September derby loss to Lazio (3-2), they really need to win this one to avoid a season sweep to their bitter rivals.
8. Fiorentina (-)
Vincenzo Italiano has his team adapting a bit more in the final stages of the season. They were a bit disappointing in terms of results but showed signs of progress with the style of play. The 1-0 win over Bologna gives more room for optimism as they sneak into the Europa League conversation with Atalanta, Lazio and AS Roma.
Middle of the pack
These teams are sure already to stay in the league but have no chance to play in European competitions next season.
9. Sassuolo (-)
Gianluca Scamacca and Hamed Traorè are at their best for a Sassuolo side performing quite well recently. Scamacca is already at 12 goals, including four in the last four matches, as his performances are being noticed by all the top Italian clubs, most notably Juventus and Inter Milan.
10. Torino (+1)
Ivan Juric’s team might be the cream of the crop among the mid-tiered teams. And that’s not because they only manage to draw against Juventus and Inter Milan recently, but because this team is totally embracing the style of their coach. This first season under the former Hellas Verona manager has been promising as fans have big expectations for the next years.
11. Hellas Verona (-1)
We could expect a little drop in terms of results from this team after they reached their main goal staying up. Losing to Napoli at home was predictable, but no one has to underestimate Igor Tudor’s side in the next weeks.
12. Empoli (-)
Empoli managed to stay out of the danger zone for the good part of the season and now they showing their skills in many important matches. Sure, they lost against AC Milan at San Siro, but it was definitely another solid performance that can provides hope for the coming weeks.
13. Udinese (+1)
Gabriele Cioffi’s work has been really good in the last couple of weeks. The draw against AS Roma was the latest example, especially after the team was hit hard by the COVID cases last month. Because of that and many other reasons, it’s safe to imagine fans having a bit of hope for a different fortunes in 2022-23.
14. Bologna (-1)
Losing against Fiorentina was just another disappointing result this year. Sinisa Mihajlovic seems to be close to leave the club and in the next days there will be a meeting with the owner, Joe Saputo. Reports say that former Napoli coach Rino Gattuso might be his replacement.
Relegation zone
These sides are struggling and are fighting to keep their spot in Serie A for next season.
15. Spezia (+1)
A clutch win over Cagliari could play vital role in their ambitions to stay up. It’s extremely likely they will need to fight until the end. They were they only team that couldn’t improve in the January transfer window but Thiago Motta has done a tremendous job to keep their dream alive as they improve week in and week out.
16. Cagliari (-1)
Quite a disappointing moment for Walter Mazzarri’s side after losses to Spezia and Lazio. They had a decent start to the calendar year, but are now back in the relegation fight as they need to change their recent trend as soon as possible.
17. Sampdoria (-)
Similar situation to the Cagliari. After a good impact since Marco Giampaolo came back as coach they are now struggling and need to find a way to score some points. They only reason why they are now in this position is because their rivals are doing even worse than them.
18. Venezia (-)
They come from three losses in the last three matches. Their matchup against Sampdoria will tells us a lot about their hopes of staying up for next season.
19. Genoa (-)
Despite the draw to Atalanta, Genoa are still in a very worrying position and need to find some points before will be too late. It probably already is, to be honest. Alexander Blessin brought some positive changes when he took over coaching duties, but this team really can’t win. Still one win in all the Serie A season — not enough for top-flight survival.
20. Salernitana (-)
Another week, another winless game. Salernitana are desperate to find some victories that can bring some joy to the fans but coach Davide Nicola has not been able to get it done just yet.