New Rule Could Trigger a One-Off Decider Between the Top Two
As the 2024-25 Serie A season races toward a dramatic finale, two giants of Italian football — Inter Milan and Napoli — remain locked in a neck-and-neck battle for the Scudetto. With five games left and both teams tied on 71 points, the league title could be decided in a way rarely seen in modern football: a playoff final.
How Did We Get Here?
Until Sunday, Inter Milan enjoyed a slim three-point lead. However, a 1-0 defeat to Bologna opened the door for Antonio Conte’s Napoli, who beat Monza with a winner from Scott McTominay. Both teams are now even on points, with Inter narrowly ahead due to goal difference (Inter +40, Napoli +27).
But here’s the twist — unlike other top European leagues, Serie A does not use goal difference to determine the champion in the event of a points tie. Instead, a new rule reintroduced in 2022 mandates a playoff final to decide the winner.
What Is the Serie A Playoff Final Rule?
If two teams finish the season with equal points at the top of the table, they will face off in a 90-minute title playoff. This match will be held at a neutral venue. If the game ends in a draw, there will be no extra time — it will go straight to penalties.
This rule has only been used once before in Serie A history — in 1964, when Bologna beat Inter Milan to claim the title.
Remaining Fixtures: Who Has the Advantage?
Napoli may have a slight edge in the run-in. While Inter are still juggling the Champions League semi-final against Barcelona and the Coppa Italia semi-final against AC Milan, Napoli have a clear schedule with no other competitions in the way.
Inter Milan’s Final Five Fixtures:
- Roma
- Verona
- Torino
- Lazio
- Como
Napoli’s Final Five Fixtures:
- Torino
- Lecce
- Genoa
- Parma
- Cagliari
The final round of matches will be held on Sunday, 25 May.
Why It Matters
Serie A’s unique playoff rule adds a layer of excitement rarely seen in Europe’s elite leagues. A winner-takes-all showdown between Inter and Napoli would be a blockbuster end to the season and could reignite interest in playoff-decided league titles.
Final Thoughts
With the title still very much up for grabs, all eyes are on Inter and Napoli. Whether it’s settled in regular league play or in a historic one-off final, the 2024-25 Serie A season promises an unforgettable climax. Fans — get ready. History might just repeat itself.
Category: Football, Serie A, European Leagues
Tags: Inter Milan, Napoli, Serie A 2025, title race, playoff rule, Italian football, Antonio Conte, Champions League, Coppa Italia, Serie A history
