Napoli and Milan chase Inter as Italy deals with World Cup shock

Inter lead the league by six points with eight games remaining and would normally feel confident of a 21st title ahead of Sunday's clash with Roma. Yet Napoli and Milan have reignited a race that seemed all but over, helped by Inter's drop of just two points from their last three matches before the international break.

Napoli sit just a point behind AC Milan after four straight wins, coming off a long injury crisis. However, they will be without Romelu Lukaku, who remains in Belgium for hip treatment despite criticism from the reigning champions.

Even the title battle takes a back seat to Italy's latest humiliation. After losing to Bosnia and Herzegovina on penalties in the 2026 World Cup play-offs, the reaction has been familiar: "rip it up and start again."

Italian football chief Gabriele Gravina resigned on Thursday, days after initially promising to wait a week before deciding. General manager Gianluigi Buffon has also stepped down, while coach Gennaro Gattuso is expected to follow. The focus now turns to rebuilding Italian football after repeated international disappointments and declining performances by top clubs in Europe.

Inter, once Italy's European standard-bearers, have also faltered, exiting the Champions League against Bodo/Glimt. Defender Alessandro Bastoni was sent off in the Bosnia defeat, while academy product Pio Esposito missed the first penalty in the shoot-out, symbolising the national team's struggles.

Roma, meanwhile, aim to recover some pride and secure a top-four finish. Sixth-placed Roma sit level on points with Juventus but trail fourth-placed Como by three. With Como on a five-game winning streak, Gian Piero Gasperini's side risks slipping further from the European spots.

Player to watch: Lautaro Martinez
Inter's attack relies on the returning Argentine striker, who has 14 goals this season. Martinez missed the last five league games during Inter's Champions League exit and injury problems, during which Inter earned just eight points. His fitness could be decisive as Inter push for the title while he also eyes the World Cup.

Serie A Fixtures

Saturday - Sassuolo v Cagliari, Verona v Fiorentina, Lazio v Parma
Sunday - Cremonese v Bologna, Pisa v Torino, Inter v Roma
Monday - Udinese v Como, Lecce v Atalanta, Juventus v Genoa, Napoli v AC Milan