Going into the Christmas break, Inter and Milan sit at the top of the Serie A table, with only four points separating the intercity rivals. Will this season boil down to a title race between the two Milanese sides?
Simone Inzaghi’s Nerazzurri have been in incredible form this season, winning 14 of their 19 matches and only losing once, to Lazio back in October. The team have won their last seven consecutive matches and they last dropped points back in November, when they drew 1-1 with the Rossoneri. The Christmas break risks breaking the team’s momentum, however.
Inter have a relatively decent start to 2022, with league matches against a sluggish Bologna, an inconsistent Lazio and a tough Atalanta opening their year. Three wins in these games would set them up in pole position to take the league title this campaign.
Milan, on the other hand, will be thankful for the Christmas break, as it gives them time to recover a number of key players who have been out injured in recent weeks, like Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Rafael Leao and Ante Rebic all expected to return ahead of their first match of 2022 against Roma on January 6.
The Rossoneri have done well to navigate their injury crisis whilst dropping only minimal points, with a loss to Napoli and draw with Udinese acceptable considering the circumstances. Their 4-2 win over Empoli last night confirmed that the team cannot be counted out just yet, even when they are missing four forwards.
Napoli’s recent form also suggests that their title hopes could slip away quickly; the Partenopei have only won one of their last five league outings, and even then that victory was only secured after Franck Kessie’s goal was controversially disallowed for offside. They now sit three points behind Milan and seven behind Inter, meaning they cannot afford to drop points in January.
Luckily for Luciano Spalletti’s side, they have the easiest start to 2022 out of the three title challengers. Napoli will face Juventus on January 6, a tough match, but then they’ll be faced with provincial sides Sampdoria on January 9, Bologna on January 16, Salernitana on January 23 and Venezia on February 6. Dropped points in these games, apart from the Juventus clash, could completely end their Scudetto dreams.
For now, it is too early to predict which team will end up on top at the end of May, but Napoli need to stay focused if they want to ensure that the title race doesn’t boil down to a two-man race between Inter and Milan.
Barring an injury crisis, Inter will run away with the title like last year. Their CL campaign will come to an end against Liverpool and they will be without distractions once again.
Milan have a slight outsiders chance, but their lack of tactical plan B will hurt them again like last year. The return of players to fitness did not help them overcome a slump immediately last year too and I expect more of the same. Only a purple patch from Leao and Rebic can give them a chance.
Atalanta will be the main challengers but will lack Inter’s consistency.
The African cup will take it’s toll on Napoli (and Milan).
1- Inter
2 – Atalanta
3 – Milan
4 – Juventus
5 – Napoli
Hope 4th and 5th will swap though, but I think Allegri will manage to get 4th in the end with his boring, yet steady improvements
It’s ridiculous to call it a two-way race just because Milan won last night and Napoli didn’t.
Inter are clear favourites. But a loss of form or injuries could open the door for one of the others, probably in this order: Atalanta, Milan, Juventus, Napoli.
Atalanta probably have the best chance after Inter, but they can’t defend. They could also go far in the EL, which might stretch them.
Milan and Napoli are decent, but their subs are of a pretty poor standard.
Juve have their worst squad in years, but can still make the top 4 quite easily given the lack of talent above them.
Roma, Fiorentina and Lazio have no hope.
IMO, if Inter fail against Liverpool (very much expected almost by all; experts and fans) then, all energy and attention will be on championship. This means a certain Scudetto. Quality wise, Inter are only inferior to the other big European teams … but in Italy they are head and shoulders when compared with their competitors … We certainly are the Bridegroom where us the others are just best men …😁😁😁
Inter just need to play good match vs liverpool to show that Italian football is not dead, I don’t care about how the result will be as long as the players showing that they are worthy to be in last 16.. then after that we can focus at defending scudetto
Title race is wide open. Napoli and Milan will benefit from some time off. Come back more fit. Inter may have peaked a bit too soon and have not had the bad luck other teams have suffered with Covid and injury. So is Inter the best team? They have been for the last 3 or 4 weeks.
I honestly think its to hard to predict at this point . If Napoli and Milan can get fit its a 3 way race no question. I wouldn’t count out Roma for 4th , they can be compact and build on momentum. if they can get Spina back it will be a huge lift . Juve still have more in the tank and will be up there in the end.
So yeah , looking forward to an exciting second half !