Inter closing in on title as Champions League race intensifies

April 16 : Inter Milan can move closer to a 21st Serie A title with a win against lowly Cagliari this weekend while a frantic race for the Champions League qualifying places begins to heat up.

The Nerazzurri have 75 points, nine points above second-placed Napoli with six matches remaining.

Inter are heavy favourites to beat visiting Cagliari, who still need points to confirm their safety as they sit in 16th spot six points clear of third-from-bottom Lecce.

Inter are set to be without injured captain Lautaro Martinez (calf) and centre-back Yann Bisseck (muscle strain), Cristian Chivu’s men have shown they can succeed in their absence.

In the last round, Inter recovered from two goals down to win 4-3 at Como, overcoming what was arguably the final major hurdle in their pursuit of the title.

Sardinian club Cagliari have not beaten Inter since 2019, while their record at the San Siro is even bleaker, with their last win there coming nearly a decade ago in October 2016.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE RACE HOTS UP

While Inter seem to be heading for the title, the battle for the Champions League qualifying places is intensifying.

Defending champions Napoli have an edge with a three-point lead over third-placed AC Milan and a six-point cushion over Juventus in fourth but much can change with six rounds left.

Napoli host mid-table Lazio on Saturday looking to protect their advantage, though manager Antonio Conte must navigate a growing injury list and uncertainty surrounding Romelu Lukaku.

Local media reports suggest a rift between the Belgium striker and the club following a recent training dispute after the international break, which could see him excluded from the first-team squad.

A season-long injury crisis continues to plague Napoli as they give