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With both teams level on points and five rounds to go, Serie A could be decided by a historic playoff – something Italy has only seen once before.
Serie A could be heading for an extraordinary climax. After Bologna’s shock win over Inter thanks to Riccardo Orsolini’s last-gasp stunner, the title race is wide open again. Inter and Napoli now sit level at the top with 71 points apiece – and if things stay that way, history tells us we might be in for a dramatic title playoff.
That’s right: since the 2023/24 season, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has implemented a rule where a one-off match will decide the Scudetto if two teams finish level on points. Head-to-head records? Goal difference? None of that matters anymore. It all comes down to one winner-takes-all final.
Such a scenario has only occurred once before. Back in 1964, Inter and Bologna finished level on points. The decider was held in Rome, and Bologna famously triumphed 2-0 – earning their seventh and last Serie A title. Inter, the heavy favourites then, were stunned.
The same names are now in play again, and the parallels are striking. Inter, led by Simone Inzaghi, are pushing for another Scudetto, but Napoli, under Antonio Conte’s charge, have mounted a fierce challenge, catching up after a slow start to the season. With just five rounds remaining, the pressure is building with every game.
According to the current regulation, the venue for a potential playoff will be decided by head-to-head results or goal difference – unless the federation opts for a neutral stadium, as it did in 1964. Regardless, it would be a match for the ages.
The possibility of a championship-deciding playoff has brought fresh excitement to Serie A fans across the globe. One thing is certain: if both Inter and Napoli keep winning, Italy is set for an unforgettable showdown.