Inter Milan Face Title Threat from Resurgent Napoli Amid Fixture Fatigue

Posted : 01 May 2025

Inter Milan's quest to defend their Serie A title faces serious pressure as they pursue a relentless schedule, while Napoli, with fresher legs and a clearer path, edge closer to clinching the Scudetto. Inter, who played nine matches in April compared to Napoli’s four, are starting to feel the toll of a season spent juggling multiple competitions.

Their ambitions of a treble came to an end after a Coppa Italia semifinal defeat to rivals AC Milan, though their Champions League hopes remain alive after a thrilling 3-3 draw with Barcelona midweek. That result broke a run of three straight defeats and marked Marcus Thuram's return from injury.

However, the draw came at a cost as captain Lautaro Martinez sustained a hamstring injury and is expected to miss Inter’s crucial league match against relegation-threatened Hellas Verona on Saturday. With the Champions League return leg looming, coach Simone Inzaghi is unlikely to risk Martinez’s fitness.

Inzaghi himself will be absent from the sidelines due to a suspension, as will midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu, after both reached a disciplinary settlement with the Italian football authorities. Verona, sitting 15th, remain precariously close to the drop zone, just seven points above relegation, and have critical games ahead against Lecce and Empoli.

Napoli, meanwhile, have benefited from their reduced fixture load after finishing 10th last season and exiting the Coppa Italia early. Under Antonio Conte, they've capitalized on their schedule, going on a 10-game unbeaten streak that helped them reclaim top spot from Atalanta.

Though a loss to Como briefly allowed Inter to surge ahead, two successive defeats for the Milan club have handed Napoli a three-point lead with just four matches to go. They travel to face Lecce on Saturday, a side without a win in 11 games and dangerously close to relegation, although Lecce did earn a point against Atalanta last week.

Conte's side may be without defender Alessandro Buongiorno, who is likely to miss the rest of the season with a groin injury, though midfielder Frank Anguissa is expected to recover in time. Elsewhere in the race for Champions League spots, Atalanta will try to hold onto third place as they visit bottom-placed Monza on Sunday.

Juventus and Bologna square off in a direct clash for fourth place, while AS Roma, Lazio, and Fiorentina also remain in the hunt. Roma, unbeaten in 18 league games, welcome Fiorentina on Sunday, and Lazio travel to Empoli. Milan, currently ninth, visit Genoa on Monday in a bid to salvage their European hopes.

Inter Milan Face Title Threat from Resurgent Napoli Amid Fixture Fatigue

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