Serie A: Matchday 29 recap.

This last day of the championship has begun to outline the top positions. Inter extends to +3 on Napoli who in turn has extended to +3 on Atalanta. With the defeats of Juventus and Lazio, however, the race for the Champions League becomes very competitive, with six teams in six points.

Inter ahead of Napoli and Atalanta

Since the twenty-third matchday, there had not been at least three points of difference between the first and second in the class. Six matchdays ago, in fact, the standings read: Napoli 54 points and Inter 51, with Atalanta apparently out of the running at 47 points. From that moment on, the distances between the three teams have decreased game after game, until the 28th matchday with only three points of difference between the first and third placed teams. Over the past weekend, the distances have returned to their origins, but this time Inter are in command and no longer the Neapolitans. Antonio Conte's team, in fact, have returned to equalizing, not going beyond 0-0 on the pitch of Venezia. For the Azzurri, only eight points have been earned in the last seven matchdays. Despite the many commitments, Simone Inzaghi's team confirms its strength. The Nerazzurri, fresh from qualifying for the Champions League quarterfinals, won 0-2 on the pitch of Atalanta. A fundamental victory to extend the lead to +3 on the second. Gasperini's team, if they had won, would be at the top tied with Inter and Napoli, but with 'ifs' you know you don't get anywhere, especially in football. The Goddess lost against the Nerazzurri of Milano and slips to -6 from the first place. With nine days to go the standings read: Inter 64, Napoli 61 and Atalanta 58. However, there are still many points available and everything can change. Our Serie A is resting this week, leaving room for the international break.

Lazio and Juventus suffer setbacks, Champions League race heated up

Suddenly the spotlight is on the race for the Champions League, which until today seemed to belong only to Juventus and Lazio. The latter two suffered two heavy defeats that have rekindled the hopes of many teams. The Biancocelesti lost 5-0 in the away match in Bologna and are left with 51 points. Bologna forcefully took fourth place, rising to 53 points and detaching Juventus by one. The Bianconeri lost 3-0 in the away match in Florence, with the Viola who have moved to 48 points, -5 from fourth place. A sensational comeback by Roma who have obtained their sixth consecutive victory and reached 49 points. Hopes are also rekindled for Milan, who against Como have earned another three important points, rising to 47 points. To recap, the race for Europe sees: Bologna in fourth place (53), Juventus fifth (52), Lazio sixth (51), Rome seventh (49), Fiorentina eighth (48) and Milan ninth (47). Six teams in six points, with nine games to go everything is still possible.

Venice 'anti-big', Verona leaps

The race for salvation is still proceeding slowly with Verona's only victory among the last seven teams. Monza, now promised to Serie B, returns to move up the standings, but only by one point thanks to the draw against Parma. Remains in second to last place a Venice who haven't lost in four games. The Verdeoro drew against Napoli, obtaining the fourth consecutive draw. Di Francesco's team continues to obtain prestigious results after the draws with Atalanta and Lazio, but for salvation the time has come to return to winning ways. They lose again theEmpoli which, with only one point obtained in the last seven games, remains in third-last place with 22 points. The temporarily safe trio instead sees Parma and Lecce with 25 points and Cagliari with 26. Important leap for the Verona, which thanks to the victory against Udinese moves to 29 points, +7 from the relegation zone. Upon returning from the break for the national teams, eyes are focused on the challenges between Cagliari-Monza and Verona-Parma.