The most exciting Serie A campaign is coming towards its end with plenty of football still left to play for. We discuss here the teams wrestling for a place in the top four to enjoy Champions league football next season.
The Italian league is getting more and more competitive season by season. This campaign is no different. Even though Inter are pretty much set to topple Juventus's hold on the Scudetto, there is a lot to play for with just eight games left for each club. Apart from the title hunt and relegation battle, the top four race of Serie A is moving towards a dramatic end.
All of the five clubs contesting for the Champions League berth have a pool of talent and qualities to set their bar high at any point for the remainder of the season. Each side is capable of outdoing the other in destroying each other's hope for glory. There are some exciting clubs in the marathon seemingly hard to presume where they will stand at the end of the season.
5. Lazio (55 points)
Simone Inzaghi 's hope for Champions League football for the second consecutive seasons could well be drenched. Lazio have made some unreal strides over the years but it seems they will miss European football's grandest stage next season. Sitting on the 6th position on the Serie A table, six points adrift of top-four berth, it may well be over for the Biancocelesti. They have to worry about facing Napoli and Milan back to back that could well be towel drop for the season. Although, they are a team capable of turning the odds and building a way to their destiny. A similar tale could happen.
4. Napoli (59 points)
At one moment it was looking like Napoli won't be able to replace their inconsistent form and book a place for Champions League football. They also faced surprise elimination at the hands of Granada in the Europa League. Genaro Gattuso's position as manager was in question. Since then significant wins over Milan and Roma made a complete reversal of their fortune. Despite losing to Juventus, they dropped point only once in their last eight games. It puts them directly in the race for a Champions League berth, only two points off. The Parthenopeans face Inter and Lazio in the next two game weeks but after that they have a clear run ahead. The side from Naples will be hoping to take most of their chances.
3. Atalanta (61 points)
Atalanta didn't make the best of start for the 2020/21 campaign but favorable results have come out since the turn of the year. They only lost to table toppers Inter in that period. Gian Piero Gasperini has rekindled the magic in his squad with their deadliness in front of goal showing up time and time again. Luis Muriel has taken himself to another level. He now being a starter with Duvan Zapata spearheaded the outstanding run they are in. Atalanta sit at fourth place presently with a mixture of tough and easy fixtures in the mix in the last eight games. They have shown themselves as formidable, solid and entertaining to watch. La Dea's way of playing games have aid them in the long run and they have no intention to change it.
2. Juventus (62 points)
It's tough to see Juventus hanging around with top four contenders after nine seasons of dominance in Italy. The Old Lady is currently undergoing a transitional campaign with club legend Andrea Pirlo at hot seat. So expectations to retain the title are not equally high this time. Instead, it very much look like Juve will affirm a place in the Champions League group stage next season for now. It will be a tough ask with Napoli and Atalanta breathing down their neck. Their not so sharp football may cost them with both Milan clubs and Atalanta still to play. Cristiano Ronaldo and co will be hoping that their Champions League elimination this season won't dilute their hopes of seeing themselves in the competition again. It will be damaging.
1. Milan (63 points)
Chasing rivals Inter now, Milan once looked to grab the Scudetto after a decade of disappointing lows. They are now fighting for the top four place. While they seem unlikely to drop off any complacency will cost them. The Rossoneri sustain one of the most talented squad in Europe, the best the club have after a long long time. It is hopeful that they will accumulate sufficient point to decorate an impressive campaign. Milan has shown that can succumbed under pressure to winnable fixture with their home form being less impressive. Plus, they are yet to face Lazio, Juventus and Atalanta. If they keep their concentration level high it won't be problem for this side to get over the line.
