By Paul Morgan

The 2020/21 Serie A title race is shaping up to be the most exciting in years. More than halfway through the season, there are still up to 6 teams in the hunt to win Italian football’s most coveted prize, the Scudetto trophy as league champions. Serie A is home to some of Europe’s finest football, with an open attacking brand shaking off the perception of the style being overly cautious and conservative.

On top of that, the Milan and Rome derbies bring a real edge and intensity to the title battle. The narrative of this season could not have been scripted any better. Inter Milan and AC Milan will each be gunning to win their 19 th title and for their fanatical supporters the all- important city bragging rights. Antonio Conte has steadily improved his Inter side, and they are well placed in their attempt to stop arch-rivals Juventus from winning a remarkable 10th straight league title. Conte epitomises the passion and enthusiasm that Italians have for football and lead the rise of Juventus from the doldrums to league glory in 2012.

Key to his success was signing midfield maestro Andrea Pirlo from AC Milan. In the recent Coppa Italia semi-final first leg, Pirlo sat in the opposition dugout, the newly appointed Juventus boss in his first senior managerial role since his retirement. Throw into that AC Milan and their talismanic striker Zlatan Ibrahimović and the run in promises to be compelling.

The resurgence of Inter and AC Milan as genuine contenders is most welcome after a long period of underachievement. Their fiery Coppa Italia clash in January signified that the sleeping giants of Italian football had awoken from their slumber and optimism has grown from both San Siro sides that it may be their year. Antonio Conte has reignited a confidence in the Inter team not seen since their famous Champions League win in 2010. He has received huge financial backing from the owners, with last season’s £74 million signing of Romelu Lukaku a real statement of intent.

Conte’s time in England with Chelsea has clearly had a big impact on him, as he has recruited heavily from the Premier League. Alexis Sanchez, Christian Eriksen on loan and Ashley Young have bolstered the Nerazzurri’s strong squad. Like any Conte team, they play a flexible 3-5-2 built upon a strong defence with a rapid counterattack. They are the leagues highest scores, with Lukaku netting 14 times so far. Last season’s Europa league finalists will be eyeing up silverware this term.

Under Stefano Pioli, AC Milan have made great strides and are top of the table after matchday 21. Despite being near the end of his career, Ibrahimović has chipped in with 14 goals so far for the Rossoneri. It is evident he still has the drive that has made him a mainstay of league winning teams in Italy, France, Spain, and Holland. AC Milan are technically good and probe in possession, looking to play precise passes for their talented attacking players. In goal Gianluigi Donnarumma at just 21 has been no.1 for 5 years, and recently captained the side. He has been my pick of several exceptional goalkeepers in Serie A, and has established his place in the Italian national team ahead of Euro 2021.

Juventus and Andrea Pirlo remain within touching distance of the top of the table. Cristiano Ronaldo is the league’s top scorer with 16 goals, with Paulo Dybala a constant goal and assist threat from attacking midfield. The Turin club will be motivated to win their 37 th league title as they work towards the long-term goal of getting the 4 th star on their shirt to signify 40 league titles. Juventus are a fast-breaking team, with US international Weston McKennie being a great addition, scoring a terrific volley against Barcelona in the Champions League.

Juventus still have a core group of experienced players who have been stalwarts in their dominance of the last decade, and they will play a key role over the next few months. It is not just the big three that could challenge for honours, with the capital clubs on an upward trajectory. AS Roma currently sit inside the Champions League qualification spaces. They set up with a back three with former Man United man Chris Smalling a regular in central defence. The guile and creativity of forward Henrikh Mkhitaryan gives them a real cutting edge in the final third.

Lazio will also fancy their chances at springing a surprise, having thumped Roma 3-0 at the Stadio Olimpico in the fiercely contested Rome Derby. Reigning Coppa Italia winners Napoli sit just a few points behind them. Although they are missing their vociferous support, the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona remains a very hard place to come away with a win from. While Atalanta have fallen behind the pace, the Bergamo sides’ impressive run in Europe last year indicates they could force their way back into the reckoning with a late season surge.

With the unpredictable nature of football in recent months, Serie A is very hard to predict and the tight battle at the top has been a breath of fresh air and can only be good for raising the standard of the Italian club and international game. With the hectic nature of this compressed season, there are crucial clashes on an almost weekly basis.

I think that Inter Milan are the most likely to win, as Antonio Conte has the best track record of the coaches and managing the team and their effort over the closing weeks of the season has never been more important, given the demanding schedule. I believe that Juventus will be their closest pursuers, pushing them all the way but I think that they will come up just short, especially if they progress deep into the Champions League. There is likely to be many more twists and turns, and I would not be surprised if it came down to some final day drama. The entertainment and quality of the league are second to none, and I am thoroughly looking forward to the remainder of the Serie A season.