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With Inter Milan and Napoli at loggerheads with each other heading into the final five-game stretch, a Serie A playoff match for the title may be required. A tantalising prospect to say the least, and although Italy\u2019s top-flight is familiar with playoffs, they are exceptionally rare.<\/b><\/p>\nDoes Serie A Have Playoffs?<\/b><\/h2>\n
Serie A is unique in that it is the only major league in Europe where the title can be decided via a playoff, should both first and second finish on level points.<\/span><\/p>\n It had long been a rarely used phenomena up until the league did away with the rule after the 2004-05 campaign, only to bring it back for the start of the 2022-23 season.<\/span><\/p>\n It is also worth noting that this same principle applies to teams fighting relegation; for example, if 17th and 18th finished with the same amount of points, a playoff would be needed to determine who drops down to Serie B.<\/span><\/p>\n However, only in the event of a relegation tiebreaker, there are two legs instead of one.<\/span><\/p>\n Following Riccardo Osolini\u2019s 94th minute winner for Bologna to bury a weary Inter, Simone Inzaghi\u2019s side missed the chance to restore a three-point lead over title rivals Napoli last time out.<\/span><\/p>\n With Scott McTominay\u2019s solitary goal enough to see <\/span>I Ciucciarelli <\/span><\/i>squeeze past Monza in a gruelling, champions-esque victory, it means they now sit level with Inter.<\/span><\/p>\n Incredibly, both teams have also registered identical results across the campaign, winning 21, drawing eight and losing four.<\/span><\/p>\n Whatever transpires between now and the end of the season, there is a strong possibility that the two title frontrunners could finish neck-and-neck.<\/span><\/p>\n In that eventuality, a playoff match would take place to determine who lifts the Scudetto.<\/span><\/p>\n It is worth noting that Inter also have a taxing two-legged Champions League semi-final sandwiched between their next three league fixtures.<\/span><\/p>\n The defending champions looked notably leggy as they crashed out of the Coppa Italia against city rivals AC Milan in midweek, so the <\/span>Nerazzurri<\/span><\/i> faithful will be hoping there is still some momentum left in their title charge.<\/span><\/p>\n Inter fans of a certain age need not be reminded of this unique playoff statute.<\/span><\/p>\n You have to rewind 61 years to find the one and only occasion of a Serie A title playoff.<\/span><\/p>\n Both Bologna \u2014 who coincidentally could be the team that forces this season to go to a decider \u2014 and Inter Milan finished level on 54 points at the end of the 1963-64 campaign.<\/span><\/p>\n The former then claimed a 2-0 victory on neutral ground in the capital\u2019s Stadio Olimpico, which could well stage a potential tiebreaker in 2025.<\/span><\/p>\n That season also happened to include another playoff, this time at the other end of the table. <\/span>Sampdoria edged out Modena on the same day at the San Siro to remain in the top-flight.<\/span><\/p>\n You only have to rewind two years to find the most recent occurrence of a bottom-of-the-table Serie A playoff.<\/span><\/p>\n The re-introduction of tiebreakers was quickly put to use in 2022-23, with Spezia and Hellas Verona finishing level on points in the final relegation spot. It is worth noting that the rules have since changed, with a relegation playoff now stretching two legs, as mentioned previously.<\/span><\/p>\n The latter would go on to snatch the victory in Reggio Emilia, condemning Spezia to Serie B where they have remained since.<\/span><\/p>\n The post Every Time a Playoff Has Happened in Serie A as Inter Milan and Napoli Face the Prospect of Title-Deciding Match appeared first on FootItalia.com.<\/p>\nInter Milan and Napoli Could Face Each Other in Serie A Title Playoff<\/b><\/h3>\n
Inter Milan\u2019s Five Remaining Fixtures<\/b><\/h4>\n
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Napoli\u2019s Five Remaining Fixtures<\/b><\/h4>\n
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Has the Serie A Title Been Decided By a Playoff Before?<\/b><\/h2>\n
Serie A Relegation Playoffs<\/b><\/h3>\n