Napoli’s forward Victor Osimhen celebrated the UEFA Champions League Group A victory over Ajax at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium on 12 October 2022 (photo by Filippo Monteforte/AFP). After a setback last weekend, Napoli could get their Serie A title challenge back on track when they host Champions‑League‑chasing Atalanta on Saturday. A defeat to Lazio trimmed Napoli’s huge league lead over Inter Milan to 15 points with 13 matches left. Inter will look to increase the pressure as they open the weekend’s fixtures at relegation‑threatened Spezia on Friday night.
There is little chance Napoli will miss out on their first Scudetto since 1990; even if Inter win all their remaining games, Napoli would still need just 25 more points to secure the title. However, another stumble against a strong Italian side could worry Napoli supporters, who witnessed a spring collapse last season—a pattern that has followed coach Luciano Spalletti’s career. Spalletti called the Lazio loss “an off day,” seemingly unfazed by the limited chances created by star attackers Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. The dynamic duo has lit up Serie A this season and will be back on Saturday, despite an upcoming Europa League tie with Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday. A two‑goal cushion and a government ban on Frankfurt’s away fans make a Champions League quarter‑final appearance likely, easing Spalletti’s weekend decisions.
Atalanta have historically been a tricky opponent for Napoli, but they arrive at Saturday’s clash having won only once in five games and sitting five points off the top four. Their chances of closing the gap are slim, as Roma host Sassuolo and AC Milan face struggling Salernitana at the San Siro, both riding high after reaching the Champions League last eight. Reigning champions Milan are level on 47 points with fourth‑placed Roma; last week’s win over Juventus pushed José Mourinho’s side into the elite European spots at Milan’s expense. Mourinho will learn on Friday whether a two‑match ban for his red card at Cremonese will be enforced.
Lazio sit a point ahead of Inter and Milan in third place and travel to Bologna on Saturday night, with their fans again under investigation for racist chanting ahead of the Rome derby. The Curva Nord section of the Stadio Olimpico was closed for a match in January after racist chants at Lecce left France defender Samuel Umtiti in tears.
**Player to watch: Rafael Leão**
Leão returned to form on Wednesday, showing drive and troubling the Tottenham defence when Milan pushed forward. The Portuguese winger missed last weekend’s defeat at Fiorentina due to suspension and will be crucial to Milan’s bid to stay in the Champions League next season.
**Key stats**
– 15 points: Napoli’s lead over Inter, making the league title almost certain.
– 3 points: The gap separating Inter in second from Milan in fifth.
**Fixtures (GMT)**
– Friday: Spezia v Inter Milan (19:45)
– Saturday: Empoli v Udinese (14:00), Napoli v Atalanta (17:00), Bologna v Lazio (19:45)
– Sunday: Lecce v Torino (11:30), Cremonese v Fiorentina, Verona v Monza (14:00), Roma v Sassuolo (17:00), Juventus v Sampdoria (19:45)
– Monday: AC Milan v Salernitana (19:45)
AFP
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