Inter Milan could be Serie A champion before it even kicks a ball against Parma on Sunday. Cristian Chivu’s team has a 10-point advantage over second-placed Napoli and 12 over AC Milan, with four rounds remaining.
A home win on Sunday night would guarantee Inter the title. A point could even be enough depending on the results of Napoli’s and Milan’s matches.
But the Nerazzurri would also be champions if Napoli loses at Champions League-chasing Como on Saturday and Milan fails to beat Sassuolo about four hours before Inter kick off at San Siro.
It would be a first managerial trophy for Chivu, whose only previous senior coaching experience before the Inter job was 13 matches in charge of Parma at the end of last season.
“I know what players go through, how they experience these situations and what it means to play for Inter,” said Chivu, who was part of Inter’s famous treble-winning team in 2010. “You have to embrace them, always tell the truth and remain consistent without abandoning your ideas. I can try to play my part, but in the end everything depends on the players.
“I’ve been fortunate because these boys bought into it straight away. We’ve had a strong season: 25 wins, 80 league goals and more than 100 in total. That’s not easy to achieve, and the credit goes to them for embracing everything we asked of them.” Inter could win the league and cup double as it faces Lazio in the Italian Cup final on May 13.