With AC Milan slipping up recently, the Scudetto race is still very much a three horse affair. Just two points separate the Rossoneri, who are on top of the table, from their cross town rivals Inter as well as Napoli. And given that we are now in the very last stages of the 2021/22 campaign, every match between now and May will be absolutely decisive for the teams all vying to become champions of Italy.
Here's all you need to know ahead of matchday 33 in Serie A.
Serie A standings heading into matchday 33
Here's how the table looks heading into matchday 33:
| Pos. | Team | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | P | Form | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Internazionale | 32 | 26 | 5 | 1 | 77 | 17 | +60 | 83 | DWWDW | |
| 2 | Milan | 32 | 21 | 6 | 5 | 63 | 37 | +26 | 69 | DWWWW | |
| 3 | Juventus | 32 | 18 | 9 | 5 | 45 | 24 | +21 | 63 | DWLDD | |
| 4 | Bologna | 32 | 16 | 11 | 5 | 45 | 25 | +20 | 59 | DDWWL | |
| 5 | Roma | 31 | 16 | 7 | 8 | 56 | 35 | +21 | 55 | WDWD | |
| 6 | Atalanta | 31 | 15 | 6 | 10 | 57 | 36 | +21 | 51 | DLWDL | |
| 7 | Lazio | 32 | 15 | 4 | 13 | 41 | 35 | +6 | 49 | WLWWL | |
| 8 | Napoli | 32 | 13 | 10 | 9 | 50 | 40 | +10 | 49 | DWLDD | |
| 9 | Torino | 32 | 11 | 12 | 9 | 31 | 29 | +2 | 45 | DLWWD | |
| 10 | Fiorentina | 31 | 12 | 8 | 11 | 43 | 36 | +7 | 44 | DLLDD | |
| 11 | Monza | 32 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 34 | 41 | -7 | 43 | DLLWW | |
| 12 | Genoa | 32 | 9 | 12 | 11 | 35 | 39 | -4 | 39 | DWDDL | |
| 13 | Lecce | 32 | 7 | 11 | 14 | 27 | 48 | -21 | 32 | WLDWL | |
| 14 | Cagliari | 32 | 7 | 10 | 15 | 34 | 54 | -20 | 31 | DWDLW | |
| 15 | Udinese | 31 | 4 | 16 | 11 | 30 | 47 | -17 | 28 | LDLW | |
| 16 | Hellas Verona | 32 | 6 | 10 | 16 | 30 | 44 | -14 | 28 | DLDLW | |
| 17 | Empoli | 32 | 7 | 7 | 18 | 25 | 48 | -23 | 28 | LWLLL | |
| 18 | Frosinone | 32 | 6 | 9 | 17 | 40 | 63 | -23 | 27 | DDDLL | |
| 19 | Sassuolo | 32 | 6 | 8 | 18 | 39 | 62 | -23 | 26 | DDDLW | |
| 20 | Salernitana | 32 | 2 | 9 | 21 | 26 | 68 | -42 | 15 | LDLLL |
Serie A games you won't want to miss on matchday 33
Spezia vs Inter: At one point, it seemed that Inter's ambitions to successfully defend their Scudetto crown were no longer a reality after a series of negative results. However, that has since changed thanks to Milan dropping points, and now, Simone Inzaghi's men have a good chance to re-claim top spot ahead of their Coppa Italia showdown against the Rossoneri next week. Inter also have a game in hand as compared to Milan and Napoli, but they certainly won't be relying on just that fact when they face a Spezia side who, despite their inconsistent form lately, have actually been pretty solid at home.
Spezia, who are featuring in their sophomore term in Italy's top flight, sit in 15th spot but have won three of their last five league games - and without conceding a goal. It will be an interesting match for current boss Thiago Motta, who will be welcoming the side he featured for and was part of Jose Mourinho's Treble-winning squad in 2010. Meanwhile, the Nerazzurri have a formidable away record, as they're unbeaten in their last 10 on the road and have lost just one of their last 15 in the league, so they are looking in good stead to pick up a decisive three points and keep their foot in the door of this season's Scudetto race.
Milan vs Genoa: Milan will be looking to avoid dropping further points when they take on Bologna on Friday. The Rossoneri were dealt a big blow due to another injury to veteran striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who's not only set to miss this game but also has been ruled out for their Coppa Italia tie against Inter next week. Although still on top of the table, Stefano Pioli's side have seen their lead narrowed following frustrating stalemates against Torino and Bologna, during which they not only failed to win but also failed to score.
As such, getting back to winning - and goal-scoring ways - will be the first order of business when they welcome another minnow to the Stadio San Siro. At the moment, Genoa sit in 19th spot, have won just one of their last five, and are on a two game losing streak. On paper, this should be a comfortable win for the Rossoneri, but given how they've dropped points against Bologna and Torino recently, nothing is guaranteed, especially given that Milan have won just two of their last six home games. Still, given that Genoa have won just one of their last 16 away fixtures, and they are facing quite a few players out injured, Pioli's men could be able to do just enough to grind out a victory.
Juventus vs Bologna: Juve's chances at winning the Scudetto were shattered following their 1-0 loss to Inter in the Derby d'Italia, but the Bianconeri still have a shot at winning some silverware this season. They'll soon face Fiorentina in the Coppa Italia semi's, but first, will want to head into that game having made it two wins on the spin following their hard-fought 2-1 win over relegation-threatened Cagliari last time out.
Bologna, meanwhile, currently sit in 12th spot, so are comfortably secure in Serie A for another season. The Rossoblu will have to make do without manager Sinisa Mihaijlovic who's back in hospital after suffering another setback in his battle with cancer. Although the major underdogs here, the visitors will look to take advantage of a Juventus side who have looked less than secure in defense and are also missing quite a few key players, including midfield duo Weston McKennie and Manuel Locatelli, due to injury.
Napoli vs Roma: It will be a very interesting reunion for Napoli boss Luciano Spalletti when the Partenopei welcome Roma on Monday. Napoli will also be really keen to get back to winning ways after a surprise loss to Fiorentina last round, especially with Inter and Milan viewed as the favorites to pick up three points in their respective games against Spezia and Genoa. Meanwhile, Roma come into this game in excellent form, with the Giallorossi winning four of their last five games. It's clear that Jose Mourinho's men are mounting a late charge to try to secure fourth spot, and although they have quite a bit of ground to cover in order to close the gap on Juventus, their uptick in form certainly will have the Bianconeri looking over their shoulders.
This latest installment of the Derby del Sole should be an interesting one, to say the least. Although the reverse fixture ended as a 0-0 draw at the Stadio Olimpico, it was the first time in nearly six years that both teams failed to score. At home, Napoli haven't lost to Roma since March 2018, and all of the last five meetings in Naples have resulted in two or more goals being scored between the two teams.
Team news for matchday 33
*All info as of 14 April 2022
Milan: Alessio Romagnoli (Adductor problems), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Knee issues), Alessandro Florenzi (Knee injury), Simon Kjaer (Knee injury)
Inter: Stefan de Vrij (Unknown injury)
Napoli: Andrea Petagna (Hamstring injury)
Juventus: Arthur (Ankle injury), Manuel Locatelli (Knee injury), Weston McKennie (Broken foot), Federico Chiesa (Knee injury), Kaio Jorge (Knee injury)
Roma: No injuries, illnesses, or suspensions
Lazio: Patryk Dziczek (Heart condition)
Serie A matchday 33 fixtures
