Inter Milan will play Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final on May 31 but could be forced into a one-off match against Napoli to decide the Serie A title just five days before
MILAN, ITALY - MARCH 17: Matteo Politano of Napoli fights for the ball with Henrikh Mkhitaryan of Inter Milan during the Italian Serie A football match Inter Milan vs Napoli at San Siro Stadium in Milan, Italy on March 17, 2024 (Photo by Piero Cruciatti/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Inter Milan could face a play-off for the Serie A title just five days before the Champions League final if they finish the regular season level on points with Napoli on Friday. Antonio Conte’s team go into the final round of fixtures just one point clear of Simone Inzaghi’s side after nerve-biting draws on Sunday night.
Napoli were held 0-0 in Parma. And the Champions League finalists were denied taking the destiny of the title into their own hands by a controversial late penalty for handball which allowed former Chelsea winger Pedro to equalise for Lazio in the 2-2 draw at the San Siro.
Inter Milan players and coach Inzhagi refused to speak to the media afterwards in protest. The two title deciding matches of the Serie A season will be played simultaneously at 7.45pm UK time on Friday night.
Napoli will win their second title in three years if they beat Cagliari at home - or Inter Milan lose at Como. If Napoli lose and Inter Milan draw, there will be a play-off on Monday.
Inter Milan face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final in Munich on Saturday. Inter Milan had wanted the games played on Thursday to give them more time to prepare for the Champions League final.
READ MORE: Erik ten Hag waiting on Cesc Fabregas as ex-Man Utd boss 'second choice' for new jobREAD MORE: Lionel Messi lashes out at MLS referees and claims 'they don't know the rules'
But Napoli and broadcasters DAZN wanted the games on Friday. The date was decided by a meeting of the league on Monday morning.
Both Conte and Inzhagi will be banned from the touchline for the final games after getting sent off on Sunday night. The former Chelsea and Tottenham boss said: “It irritates me, because you work all year to have a decisive match,” Conte said.
“I trust the staff and these lads, I above all trust the crowd at the Stadio Maradona. I was annoyed by Parma’s obstruction today, as I was used to English football, where there aren’t all these stops for cramp, injuries, pretending to be injured, so it irritated me and that’s why I was sent off.”
Will the Serie A title race go to a play-off? Give us your score predictions in the comments section.
PARMA, ITALY - MAY 18: Antonio Conte celebrating after the Serie A match between Parma and Napoli at Stadio Ennio Tardini on May 18, 2025 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by SSC NAPOLI/SSC NAPOLI via Getty Images)
Conte, who has former Manchester United star Scott McTominay in his midfield, added: "We are a step from history. We will do it at home.”
The other eight Serie A matches in the final weekend will take place on Saturday or Sunday.
Join our new WhatsApp community* *and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.