Serie A title a thing for two - or three - teams (Feature)

By Alberto Cagliano Mar 2, 2011, 12:46 GMT

Rome - With 11 games left in the season, Italy's football buffs have one big question in their debates: is the race for the Serie A title an affair of two or three teams.

An internet poll by La Gazzetta dello Sport shows that 60 per cent of readers feel that the scudetto will be a neck-and-neck battle between leaders AC Milan and title holders Inter Milan, who trail by five points.

Only few keep their faith in surprise side Napoli after they failed a maturity test Monday, losing 3-0 at Milan in one of their worst showings of the season.

They are, however, just one point behind Inter, whose president Massimo Moratti still gives credit to the side from Naples.

'(Coach Walter) Mazzarri's team are not out of the race,' Moratti said this week. 'They played a poor game (at Milan), but this does not change the fact that Napoli are strong and have always done well so far.

'If we and Napoli gain points, it will be a three-team race until the end. We hope to gain more points.'

Although less experienced - they returned to the top flight only in 2007 - Diego Maradona's former club have a seemingly easy run of games before hosting Inter in the penultimate round.

A Milan derby in early April could also work in Napoli's favour.

Looking a month ahead, Moratti said the derby 'will not be decisive,' but noted that the situation 'is getting to be interesting.'

Curiously, a side that could also have a say in the title race are troubled giants Juventus, who this season have only Roma as competitors when it comes to disappointing their fans.

The Turin side beat Inter 1-0 in mid-February, after holding them to a scoreless draw in Milan in October. Now they welcome Milan on the weekend after beating them 2-1 earlier in the season.

Should Napoli remain in contention until the end, they will close the season against the Bianconeri in Turin.

Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri remained cautious, saying that 'there are many games left, the derby is still to be played and Napoli are still fighting.'

Crushing Napoli brought confidence to Milan, a key element as they face some tough matches in the remainder of the season.

The derby aside, Milan play at unpredictable Roma two weeks before a final match at Udinese, who are currently fifth and boast the league's best attack alongside Inter and the Devils.

European competition may also be a factor in the title race, with its load of tension, travelling and the risk of injuries.

Napoli have no worries, being already out of the Europa League, while Inter and Milan will learn their fate in the Champions League by mid-March.

Progress to the quarter finals seems problematic for both sides after 1-0 defeats at home in the first leg of the round of 16. Seven times champions Milan visit Tottenham on March 9, while holders Inter are at Bayern Munich a week later.

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