Inter Milan will look to steady their Serie A title charge this weekend when they host Atalanta, with injuries mounting and pressure rising as the race for the Scudetto enters a decisive stage.

Cristian Chivu’s side remain seven points clear at the top despite a 1-0 defeat to AC Milan in last weekend’s Derby della Madonnina. The loss ended Inter’s strong run of form just as the season heads into its final stretch.

With 10 matches still to play, Inter could again be without key attackers Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram, who are sidelined with injury and illness respectively. Midfield orchestrator Hakan Calhanoglu is also a doubt because of a muscle issue.

Inter’s recent struggles were compounded by their elimination from the UEFA Champions League after a 5-2 aggregate defeat to Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt in the playoffs.

Despite the setbacks, Chivu insists the title race remains firmly in his team’s control.

“With 30 points still up for grabs, nothing would have changed even if we had won,” he said after the derby defeat.
“We must unlock our full potential and remain competitive until the very end.”

Atalanta arrive in Milan following a difficult week themselves after suffering a heavy 6-1 home defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League round of 16 first leg on Tuesday.

Allegri downplays Milan’s chances

Meanwhile, AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri played down his side’s Scudetto hopes ahead of their trip to Lazio on Sunday.

Despite Milan winning both league derbies against Inter this season, Allegri insisted the leaders remain the clear favourites.

“Yet again, I need to point out Inter remain the clear favourites for the Scudetto,” he said.
“It was important to get a result. We worked for six or seven months to get to March in the best possible condition. Now there are the games that matter and the season will be decided.”

Allegri also noted that the last time Milan won both league derbies in a season — during the 2010–11 campaign under his management — the club went on to win the title.

The Rossoneri could receive a major boost this weekend with striker Santiago Gimenez expected to return after more than four months out with an ankle injury suffered against Atalanta in October.

Napoli injury crisis easing

Defending champions Napoli may finally be emerging from an injury crisis that has disrupted their campaign. Manager Antonio Conte could have several key players available again for Saturday’s home clash with Lecce.

Midfielders Scott McTominay, Kevin De Bruyne, Stanislav Lobotka and Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa could all soon feature together again.

De Bruyne made his long-awaited return from the bench to help Napoli secure a 2-1 win over Torino on Friday, while Anguissa also returned after missing 16 straight Serie A matches with hamstring and back issues. McTominay is expected to be available this weekend, and Lobotka should follow shortly after.

Napoli currently sit 11 points behind leaders Inter, leaving their title hopes hanging by a thread as the campaign approaches its climax.

Further down the table, surprise package Como continue to defy expectations in the race for a top-four finish. Sitting fourth and level on 51 points with AS Roma in fifth, Sunday’s clash between the two sides on the shores of Lake Como could prove pivotal in the battle for next season’s Champions League places.