By KBC Associate 
There has been an unexpected twist to the Serie A title race in recent weeks, with both Inter Milan and Napoli barrelling towards the finish line level on points.
Unlike most other top European leagues, goal difference does not come into play to determine the winner should there be nothing to split the two sides after 38 games.
Instead, there would be a play-off to determine who becomes the champions of Italy.
But how does it work, and how likely is it to happen in 2024-25?
101.greatgoals have broken it down ahead of the final five fixtures.
What Happens if the Teams Finish Level?
Serie A brought back a very important rule in 2022: if two sides competing for the title – or facing relegation – finish level on points, a play-off is used to determine their fate.
While goal difference isn’t used to separate the teams in the final standings, it does determine who would have home advantage in the one-off match.
If the play-off ends in a draw after 90, the match skips extra time and goes straight to penalties.
It does not matter if one team has beaten the other during the course of the regular season, it is a harsh but exciting single match.
Who’s winning the Scudetto? 🏆 pic.twitter.com/WCii8NNJ5V
— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) April 22, 2025
A Rare Scenario
The idea of tge title being settled via a penalty shoot-out after a full season might feel unjust to some. Perhaps that’s why the rule was initially scrapped in 2005.
Still, others may argue a play-off between two inseparable teams is the fairest possible conclusion.
The league reintroduced the rule starting from the 2022-23 season. However, in the last two years, it hasn’t been needed: Napoli and Inter clinched their respective titles with double-digit points leads over the course of previous campaigns.
Only once in Serie A history has a play-off decided the champion. That came in 1964, when Inter and Bologna each finished with 54 points after 34 matches. Bologna won 2-0 in the decider at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico.
Instead, play-offs have more recently been used to settle relegation. In 2022-23, Hellas Verona beat Spezia 3-1 to preserve their Serie A status.
Who Do Inter and Napoli Face?
Both Inter and Napoli have posted identical records through 33 matches – 21 wins, eight draws, and four losses.
The run-in will be key, and it remains anyone’s game heading into the final five matches.
Serie A decides its winner on a playoff if two teams finish level on points at the top…
What if 💭 pic.twitter.com/00E5ltRo3l
— B/R Football (@brfootball) April 22, 2025
Inter’s Remaining Fixtures:
- Roma (A) – 26 April
- Verona (H) – 3 May
- Torino (A) – 11 May
- Lazio (H) – 18 May
- Como (A) – 25 May
Napoli’s Remaining Fixtures:
- Torino (H) – 27 April
- Lecce (A) – 3 May
- Genoa (H) – 11 May
- Parma (A) – 18 May
- Cagliari (H) – 25 May