This evening’s Serie A match between Inter and Napoli at the San Siro could be a decisive turning point in the title race for the season.
This is highlighted in today’s print edition of Turin-based newspaper Tuttosport, via FCInterNews, who highlight the complex implications of the match for the two teams involved, as well as for those around them in the table.
For Inter, the stakes of this evening’s match are clear – do or die.
Reducing the deficit to league leaders Napoli would make the Nerazzurri’s push for the title look attainable, whilst if the gap were to be widened to fourteen points it could look virtually out of reach.
Meanwhile, if the Partenopei were to win they would feel that they have taken a big step towards the title, whilst a loss would cast doubt on whether their imperious form from the first half of the season is sustainable.
It is not just the two teams on the pitch at the San Siro who will feel the implications of this evening’s match, however.
Any result will be closely watched by the likes of AC Milan and Juventus in particular.
On paper, the Rossoneri and the Bianconeri could hope for an Inter win to rein in the seemingly unstoppable league leaders.
On the other hand, both teams could feel that having Inter pegged further back as competitors for the Scudetto could also benefit them.
Whatever happens at the San Siro this evening, there is still more than half the season to go.
However, it would be hard to avoid the sense that this will be one of the key matches in setting the tone for the rest of the title race over the coming months.