The Monday Scratch

Napoli and Inter in the showdown between Scudetto and Champions League

5 May 2025

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4' min read

Watch out for the owls. It is an eve full of dangerous and superstitious questions. Asked in a whisper, fingers crossed. The most banal question is: has Napoli really already won the Scudetto?

The second, which doesn't let the Nerazzurri fans sleep, is just as looming: but is Inter's season, if they don't make it against Barcelona tomorrow at the San Siro, to be thrown away, or should they still be applauded for staying in the running on three fronts until the very end?

We are in the final stretch, and inevitably, as before an election, polls are taken and the first comments are made, which then - as has happened in the past - risk being overturned by resounding reversals. On Naples, although some incautious people are already calling it a triumph, it is better to be a little cautious. It is true that beating Lecce (0-1) is a great leap forward because it means three more points and one game less. And with a calendar (Genoa, Parma and Cagliari) much more downhill than Inter's.

But football is not an exact science. One should know this by now without, every time, recalling old episodes that have made the history of this sport. Calm and chalk, said Giovanni Trapattoni, a man who has won a lot of scudetti and a sporta

To reiterate that it is now done, those in favour are pulling Antonio Conte by the jacket. And they say: if even he has spoken out ('Something great is happening, whoever triumphs writes history'), it means that everything is now decided in Napoli's favour. And it is true that they score in droves, the Neapolitans always point out, but Conte's defence is impenetrable, the best in Europe, with only 25 goals conceded. And if you score a goal, like Raspadori against Lecce, then you lock up and throw away the key. The only away game, the 'vota Antonio' still point out, is the penultimate one against Parma. The other two, with Genoa and Cagliari, are at the Maradona. Two victories and a draw are enough to close the matter and sew the fourth Scudetto on the jersey.

Beware of traps and owls

OK, on paper it is all legitimate, to be signed without delay. However, adds a little voice, it is better to touch wood: Conte may be a force of nature, but the latest Napoli is not exactly a hurricane. Lukaku hasn't scored in over a century and if Raspadori and McTominay weren't scoring goals, Napoli would now be behind even Atalanta.

Indeed it is true: this Napoli is not great. And if it has come within a hair's breadth of the Scudetto, it is more for the demerit of others than for its own merit. But then there is the Conte effect, which would motivate even a land registry usher. Let us therefore take the good that this Napoli gives us, not forgetting, however, that Inter have 15 points less than last season.

Speaking of Inter, their fate will be unravelled tomorrow night in the return leg against Barcelona. If this second challenge at the San Siro, after the 3-3 draw in Spain, will give Inzaghi and Marotta their second Champions League final in three years, it is clear that Inter are still to be applauded even if, in the end, they remain empty-handed.

A team that is on the wave for the entire season cannot be booed like one (e.g. Milan) that floated between eighth and ninth place in the league, getting eliminated in the Champions League preliminaries. True, the Diavolo, beating Bologna, can still win the Coppa Italia, but their season remains one to forget. Tonight, incidentally, Milan play in Genoa. Even if they win, they still remain ninth behind Fiorentina.

But back to the title sprint. Although Napoli are closer to the finish line, Inter are better off than last Sunday, when they went to Barcelona with the load of three consecutive league defeats. This time, despite a radical turn over, Inzaghi's team overcame Verona with a penalty from Asllani that still kept the Nerazzurri in the running. Certainly not a match to go down in football history, but the important thing was to get back on the safe side after a nightmarish period.

Tomorrow night San Siro the return leg against the Catalans

Let's not delude ourselves: it will not be easy to overcome Barcelona, even if their defence, when attacked, can be cut like butter. The Catalans have exceptional talent and anything can happen. However, Inzaghi has been good at re-motivating a group adrift like a dismasted sailing ship. Doubts remain about a season where too many points have been lost along the way. But there will be time to talk about it even if the spectre of 'zero tituli' looms, something that at Inter has always been experienced as a mark of infamy.

Inconclusive draw between Bologna and Juve

While waiting for the grand finale for the Scudetto, in the meantime the sprint for the European cups has begun. Apart from Atalanta, who strengthened their third place with 68 points by crushing (4-0) poor relegated Monza in an atmosphere of regret and nostalgia, behind them there is now a Bombay market crowding with four teams in the space of two points.

The main clash, uncertain and hard-fought to the last, was at the Dall'Ara where, in the end, Bologna and Juventus neutralised each other with a draw (1-1) that was almost pointless for both.

On goal through Thuram in the 9th minute, the Bianconeri were reached in the second half by a right-footed shot from Swiss Freuler (54 minutes). It was a missed opportunity for the Bianconeri, who were caught once again after taking the lead. Juve were also joined in fourth place by Roma and Lazio (victorious over Fiorentina and Empoli), and now, on 63 points, will have to face Lazio in a direct clash in the next round. An incandescent finale, all to be enjoyed.

Roma became more and more magical. Ranieri's team, beating Fiorentina (1-0) with a goal from Ukrainian Dovbyk, continued their run towards the Champions League by earning their 19th consecutive result. The Viola, especially with Kean, tried their best, but the Giallorossi goalkeeper Svilar neutralised every threat. More cynical, Roma, who, after striking, never let up.