The Premier League is regarded by many fans as the best domestic competition in the world. Every year there is an intense title race, relegation battle, and fight for Champions League spots. In the past decade, there have been four different champions; Chelsea, Leicester City, Manchester United and Manchester City, a team never winning three years in a row. The other top leagues in Europe do not experience this same excitement, because they are ruled by dynasties. Juventus, PSG and Bayern are unchallenged in each of their domestic competitions.
Ronaldo’s Juventus Could Be Dethroned in Pursuit for Serie A Title
Inter Have the Potential to Dethrone Juventus and Prevent Them From Attaining Serie A Title
Juventus have won the Serie A eight times in the last decade, all in a row. They are looking to extend this run with another title this year. This year, however, Juve can’t just cruise to silverware without even trying. Antonio Conte has masterminded an Inter rebuild to challenge the throne, in just one season. Conte takes players who are either underperforming or are not happy and recruits them. These include Romelu Lukaku, Ashley Young and Alexis Sanchez. All these payers were not happy at their clubs, and when Conte signed them their form immediately improved, probably from higher morale. He was just appointed in the summer, but he has already created a fierce team. Sarri‘s Juventus look sloppy, and Conte is ready to pounce.
Juventus only have a three-point lead in the league, and they haven’t been consistent. Having just lost to tenth place Napoli, Juventus have to step up their game in order to keep their lead. Conte’s Inter seem to be solely focused on dethroning the Bianconeri, having given little thought to their other competitions. Inter were knocked out of the Champions League in the group stage and will be able to use the Europa League to rotate their squad. Juve on the other hand, have tough CL knockouts ahead of them, so they also need to expend energy in Europe, giving Inter an advantage.
Lazio Also Applying Pressure
Inter aren’t the only title contender who are sharp and focused. Lazio are in third place, only two points behind Inter, with a game in hand, and are also applying pressure. Lazio have even more reason than Inter to be hungry for the Scudetto. They have been knocked out of the Europa League, and the Coppa Italia, the competition they won last year. The league is their last remaining hope, and this is their best chance in years. Led by an in-form Ciro Immobile, the Eagles look deadly.
The amount of pressure being applied to Juve is unprecedented in recent years, and it begs the question; do they know how to handle the pressure, or will they crack? Ronaldo is known to turn up in times of need, and that is exactly what he has been doing, but he can’t keep his form forever, and Juve are relying on him too heavily. Will this be the year that they are finally dethroned?
The Deciding Matches
The entire season has been culminating into an epic finale, and there are many big upcoming matches that will decide the eventual champions.
Juventus v Fiorentina, Inter v Fiorentina and Lazio v Fiorentina
Fiorentina may not be highly placed on the table, but they have had some impressive results, forcing both Inter and Juve to drop points.
Lazio v Inter
Number two vs number three. The race is so close so this match could shuffle a couple of positions at the top. It is also a big opportunity for Juventus to extend their lead because their opponents will drop points. The winner of this one will be the team on Juve’s tails.
Juve v Inter
The big one! Conte faces his old team and hopes to dash their title hopes. Juventus won the first meeting off of an early goal from Dybala, but Conte has been working hard this winter to reinforce his team. This will surely be the decider unless one of the teams drops easy points in the final stretch.
Lazio v Atalanta
In the first meeting between these sides this season, Atalanta forced Lazio to drop two vital points. If they do it again, it will surely ruin Lazio’s season, and it seems possible with Atalanta recently battering Torino seven to nil.
Juve v Lazio
Lazio have decisively beaten Juve twice in all competitions this season, so both teams will have to be on their toes to keep themselves in contention. The title race is very close, so every point is vital.
Main Photo
