The penultimate round of Serie A promises an intriguing battle for places in next season’s Champions League, but a standoff between the league and local authorities left clubs and supporters in limbo until an agreement was finally reached.
Serie A rules require teams competing for the same goal to play simultaneously on the final two matchdays, and on Monday organizers scheduled the five decisive matches for Sunday at 12:30 PM CET (4:00 PM IST).
The Rome derby is one of them, and with the Italian Tennis Open men’s final taking place on Sunday at the Foro Italico, next to the Stadio Olimpico, an early kick-off was chosen to avoid safety complications.
However, the prefect of Rome did not agree and ordered on Tuesday to move the AS Roma-Lazio match to Monday evening. The Lega Serie A appealed to the Lazio Regional Administrative Court, but refused to rule and instead invited the parties to reach an agreement.
Late on Thursday the decision was made to schedule the matches for Sunday at noon, with uniform security coordination introduced for both the Rome derby and tennis.
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Five points divide five clubs, with three spots available in Europe’s top club competition – champions Inter Milan are the only side assured of their place – and those who miss out heading into the Europa League.
Napoli are second with 70 points, two ahead of Juventus, with AC Milan and Roma another point behind. Como, sixth with 65 points, has already secured European football for the first time and remains in the fight for a place in the top four.
Last season’s champions, Napoli, know that a victory over the already relegated Pisa would secure their place, but Antonio Conte’s team is making a lot of work of the run-up. They lost 3-2 at home to Bologna on Monday and won one of the last five games.
Milan are another side limping to the finish line, with one win in six, allowing in-form Juventus and Roma to get back into the mix. Milan also suffered a 3-2 home defeat against Atalanta last time and faces an away match against Genoa.
Juventus, who are unbeaten in 10 games, are expected to take all three points when they host Fiorentina, while Roma host a Lazio side still reeling from their last Coppa Italia defeat to Inter.
WHEN FOOTBALL AND TENNIS COME TOGETHER
The fireworks after Wednesday’s final at the Stadio Olimpico caused extensive damage to the tennis court, where play was halted after smoke reduced visibility and disabled the electronic telephone system.
Football and tennis are about to collide again, and with half of the league’s clubs involved in the chaos, team preparations are also left up in the air.
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“If it’s on Monday I’ll come, on Sunday at 12.30 I won’t come,” Lazio manager Maurizio Sarri said after the latest defeat.
«The prefect has been clear, so let’s hope this is the date. If I were the club president, I wouldn’t even send the team out.»
Two-time winners Inter host Serie B-bound Hellas Verona on Sunday, but the relegation battle will provide the other drama of the weekend, with three teams battling to avoid the final drop spot.
Cremonese are third from bottom with 31 points and are away to Udinese. Lecce are one point ahead at Sassuolo, while Cagliari, with 37 points, need a draw at home to Torino to confirm safety.
Published on May 15, 2026
