Serie A title race wide open as four teams still in it

After the international break, the Serie A resumes with a bang at the weekend as leaders Milan and nearest pursuers Inter clash in what promises to be a crunch Derby della Madonnina.

Apart from the traditional rivalry attached to derby games, precious points will be at stake with champions Inter looking to beat long-time leaders Milan to go top.

No fewer than 13 points separated Inter from Milan before the turn of the year. At the time, the Nerazzurri, who won a treble of Champions League, Serie A and Italian Cup last season, had just dismissed Spanish coach Rafael Benitez and installed former Milan mentor Leonardo.

Although Inter had two games in hand, they still faced a mammoth task to recover lost ground on their arch-rivals.

The Rossoneri had been consistent until then and in Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who donned Inter’s colours for three seasons between 2006 and 2009, they had a lethal striker who tormented all defences in the Serie A.

Ibra, like Inter’s Brazilian centre-back Lucio, will miss Saturday’s clash due to suspension.

While Inter blossomed under Leonardo, Milan began to misfire. Prior to the international break, the Rossoneri were held by bottom side Bari at their own Giuseppe Meazza stadium and suffered their fourth defeat of the term at the hands of back-to-form Palermo.

This was only Milan’s second away defeat of the term and the first since going down to Cesena on the second day of the season.

In the meantime, Inter not only won their two games in hand but collected 37 points (12 wins and 1 draw) in 15 games under Leonardo. This contrasts sharply with their record under Benitez – 23 points (six wins and five draws) in 15 outings.

As Leonardo took Inter from strength to strength, Milan ran out of steam and dropped vital points to the extent that their lead over Inter at the top has been whittled down to just two points.

The international break could not have come at a better time for Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri.

The ex-Cagliari trainer, who is looking to emulate Arrigo Sacchi, Fabio Capello and Alberto Zaccheroni by leading Milan to the Scudetto in his debut season, had no alternative but to go back to the drawing board.

Beating Inter on Saturday will be no easy task for Milan as they are under pressure to keep top spot. On the other hand, Inter look to have the wind in their sails. But, this does not mean that Milan’s bid for their 18th Scudetto, and the first in seven years, is doomed as the issue is still wide open.

A draw is likely to suit the Rossoneri better, albeit Inter’s remaining fixtures seem to be less complicated.

After Saturday’s derby, Inter’s only tricky game, on paper at least, is the trip to Napoli. Milan must still travel to Florence, Rome and Udine.

An advantage for Milan could come from Inter’s involvement in the Champions League... the holders are the only Italian side to have reached the quarter-finals.

Although Milan and Inter are the favourites to win the Serie A prize, one can’t write off the chances of third-placed Napoli and Udinese in fourth.

Walter Mazzarri is doing a brilliant job at Napoli, taking them to within three points of the summit.

Napoli’s remaining eight fixtures are not straightforward but if they remain consistent and keep their feet to the ground, they can have their say too.

After a disastrous start, Udinese hit top form.

Their consistency in the last three months has only been matched by Inter.

For sure, Francesco Guidolin’s side have the momentum to maintain their bold march but they may find it difficult to hold their nerve in the title run-in.

To this end, Udinese’s up-coming games, against Roma (home) and Napoli (away), will make or break their title hopes.

It is to the advantage of Napoli and Udinese that they are not under pressure to succeed at all costs. Both have already sur-passed expectations and a top-four finish would represent a great feat for these two sides.

But, given that they are so close to the leading duo, they can continue to dream about winning the title.

Title run-in

Milan (62 points)
Inter (h); Fiorentina (a); Sampdoria (h); Brescia (a); Bologna (h); Roma (a); Cagliari (h); Udinese (a).

Inter (60 points)
Milan (a); Chievo (h); Parma (a); Lazio (h); Cesena (a); Fiorentina (h); Napoli (a); Catania (h).

Napoli (59 points)
Lazio (h); Bologna (a); Udinese (h); Palermo (a); Genoa (h); Lecce (a); Inter (h); Juventus (a).

Udinese (56 points)
Lecce (a); Roma (h); Napoli (a); Parma (h); Fiorentina (a); Lazio (h); Chievo (a); Milan (h).