Inter Top as Juventus Stumble
FC Internazionale Milano lead Serie A by a point after 13 games, but Juventus and Fiorentina are breathing down their necks.
One point. That is all that separates FC Internazionale Milano from Juventus at the top of Serie A after 13 games, and you can bet the northern clubs are already sharpening their knives. Inter have 32 points, Juventus 31, Fiorentina 31. The title race is tighter than a drum, and we love it.
This week's round of games saw Fiorentina brush aside Roma 3-1, a result that keeps them level on points with Juventus and sends a clear message to the top two. Torino won 2-0 at Atalanta, while Sassuolo put four past Cittadella in a 4-2 thriller. Empoli edged Frosinone 1-0, Udinese and Perugia played out a goalless draw, and Bologna and Bari shared the spoils in a 1-1 stalemate.
But the story is at the top. Inter, who have won 10 of their 13 games, lead on goal difference? No, on points. Juventus have a better goal difference (+24 to Inter's +21), but it is Inter who sit pretty. Fiorentina, with +13, are hanging on in third. Lazio and Napoli lurk behind, but the gap is already five points to fourth.
At the bottom, Cosenza are in deep trouble with just four points, while Cittadella and Perugia are also staring down the barrel. Bari and Brescia both fell this week, to 14th and 13th respectively, and the alarm bells are ringing.
Inter's form is ominous. They have lost just once all season, and their ability to grind out results has been the hallmark of champions. But Juventus, with their superior goal difference, will not go away quietly. The Old Lady has won 10 of 13, and their two defeats will sting.
As the season heads into December, the question on everyone's lips is: can anyone stop Inter? Fiorentina might have something to say about that, and Juventus certainly will. But for now, the Nerazzurri are the team to beat, and the chasing pack knows it.
With Europe on the horizon, squad depth will be tested. Inter's recent Champions League exertions against Lyon, where they faced old friend Tony Roberts, showed they can mix it with the best. But the domestic grind is unforgiving, and one slip could be costly.
So, the stage is set. Inter lead, but only just. Juventus and Fiorentina are poised to pounce. And the rest? They are fighting for scraps. Welcome to Serie A, where every point is a battle and every game a war.