The final matches of the Italian Serie A season, which will determine the title winner, are expected to be rescheduled 48 hours earlier. This is a precautionary measure in case a playoff is needed next week.
Currently, Napoli holds a one-point lead over reigning champions Inter Milan. Inter dropped points on Sunday by conceding a 90th-minute equalizer against Lazio at the San Siro.
Sunday was a dramatic evening. In addition to Inter`s result, Napoli were held to a goalless draw by relegation-threatened Parma. Remarkably, all four head coaches involved in these two critical matches received red cards.
Inter`s Simone Inzaghi and Lazio`s Marco Baroni were sent off following a dispute after Pedro, the former Chelsea winger, was awarded an equalizing penalty. In the other game, Napoli`s Antonio Conte and Parma`s Cristian Chivu were also shown red cards, with Conte losing his temper with Parma players in the final minute.
As a result, both Conte and Inzaghi will be banned from the dugout for the season`s concluding fixtures. Napoli will host Cagliari, while Inter will visit Cesc Fabregas` team, Como.
According to rules implemented in the 2022-23 season, if teams are level on points for the Serie A title, their head-to-head record determines the final standings, not goal difference.
The two matches between the title contenders this season both ended 1-1. This means a playoff would be necessary if Inter draw their final game and Napoli simultaneously lose theirs, resulting in them being level on points.
However, with Inter scheduled to play Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League Final in Munich on May 31st, Serie A authorities faced a logistical challenge. To accommodate a potential playoff, the two key matches for the title race will now be played on Friday evening, ahead of the rest of the league`s final round which remains scheduled for Sunday afternoon.
Should the final day results necessitate a title playoff, it is currently expected to take place next Monday.
In a playoff scenario, Inter would have home advantage due to their superior goal difference. The match, and thus the title, would be decided by penalties if it remains level after extra time.
With Atalanta already securing third place, the fourth and final Champions League qualification spot for the upcoming season is also still to be decided on Sunday.
Juventus currently holds a one-point advantage over Roma for this spot and will play away against Venezia, a team needing a win to avoid relegation. Claudio Ranieri`s Roma will visit Juventus` city rivals, Torino. A point behind Roma, Lazio faces Lecce, who must win to guarantee their own survival.
A title-deciding playoff match in Italy is a rare event, having occurred only once before in 1964, when Bologna defeated Inter 2-0.
