Serie A Round 29: Fiery Battles with 'Final' Matches

The surprising events of Round 28 have significantly heightened the excitement for Round 29 of Serie A this weekend, affecting both the leading and trailing groups in the standings, including two "final" clashes.

All eyes will focus on a small geographical triangle of about 1,100 km² in northern Italy, formed by the cities Como, Milan, and Cremona. In Como, the home team will face Roma in a decisive match for the Top 4 race. In Cremona, Cremonese meets Fiorentina in a survival battle. In Milan, both the host Inter and the visiting Atalanta have much to prove.

"Final" for the Champions League Ticket

In Round 28, Roma suffered a 1-2 defeat at Genoa in a match where they lost comprehensively to the team of their former captain Daniele De Rossi, who was unjustly dismissed by Roma after just four matches in the 2024-25 season. This loss not only officially cost Roma their 4th place to Como, but also showed they still lack the resilience and strength to return to the Champions League, a tournament they have missed for eight years. During those eight years, Roma have never been as close to the Top 4 as now, yet the Champions League ticket still seems out of reach.

Conversely, Como won 2-1 at Cagliari despite not playing as well as usual. They scored two goals from just two rare shots on target throughout the match, taking Roma's 4th place by matching points (51) but having a superior goal difference. In the first leg, Como lost 0-1 to Roma, so a victory over Roma at home this weekend would not only give Como a 3-point lead over their rival but also secure an advantage in tie-breakers (if head-to-head is equal, goal difference still favors them). That would be a huge step forward for Como, while Roma would be pushed into a doubly difficult situation. Conversely, if Roma wins, they would certainly lead Como by 3 points and tie-breakers (head-to-head), completely reversing the situation.

But it's not just Roma and Como competing; Juventus (50 points) poses a massive threat. If Juve defeats Udinese to reach 53 points, they will overtake at least one of Como or Roma to take the 5th spot, or both if the match in Como ends in a draw. Of course, it would be a tragedy for Juve themselves if they fail to win. The three-horse race between Como, Roma, and Juventus for the final Champions League spot is extremely heated, rightly becoming the focal point of Serie A at this stage.

"Final" for Survival

Having qualified for the UEFA Conference League for several consecutive years and still participating in this season's knockout stage, in Serie A, Fiorentina is struggling in the relegation battle. They spent over three months at the start of the season at the bottom, nearly without hope. The situation is now more favorable, but with only 10 rounds left, this renowned club still stands 17th with 25 points, just one point above Cremonese in the relegation zone. That point came from Round 28 thanks to a 0-0 draw with Parma, while Cremonese lost 1-2 to Lecce in another survival clash.

And fate brings these two teams together this round, a match that is essentially a true "final" for survival. If Fiorentina wins, they would certainly temporarily distance themselves from the bottom group by 4 points and also gain a head-to-head advantage over Cremonese (first leg win 1-0). If Cremonese wins, they would temporarily escape, pushing Fiorentina into the danger zone. What outcome will emerge, given Cremonese has only known defeat (10 matches) and draws (4 matches) for four consecutive months, while Fiorentina must expend energy for the Conference League Round of 16 match this midweek?

"Apology" in Milan

The 0-1 defeat in the derby against rival Milan last week did not greatly affect Inter's championship chances, but certainly impacted the psychology of Inter's players and coach Cristian Chivu. Inter's consistently poor performances in major matches raise serious doubts about the team's actual strength and prospects. Inter may still win the title, but can victories only against smaller teams bring sustainable success or elevate the club's stature?

Meanwhile, Atalanta suffered a crushing 1-6 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League Round of 16 first leg, even at home. The door to advancement is essentially closed, and with Atalanta standing 7th in the Serie A table, trailing the Top 4 by 5 points, they face a significant risk of not returning to the Champions League next season. To avoid this, besides hoping for slips by Como, Roma, and Juventus, they must win all 10 remaining matches, including obviously the away match against Inter.

The clash at 21:00 on Saturday night in Milan will therefore be much "hotter," as both teams must apologize to their fans with a good result. But Atalanta has lost to Inter for nine consecutive matches and is seen as a lesser version of the Nerazzurri (both teams wear blue-black stripes). Will there be a shocking "rebellion"?