Serie A title to be decided by play-off when teams finish level
The Serie A title will be decided by a play-off from next season should the top two teams finish level on points — and not their head-to-head record or goal difference. In a statement, Italy’s football federation (FIGC) said that it had approved regulations for a special title decider, which will go straight to penalties should the match finish level. No other top European division currently uses a play-off, with other leagues relying on goal difference to separate teams level on points. But the rule will only be used for teams locked on points at the top of the Italian top flight. If teams are on the same points lower down the table, their place will still be decided by head-to-head record. The Italian top-flight title has been decided by a play-off only once before. Bologna beat Inter Milan 2-0 in Rome in 1964. Last season’s title was, meanwhile, decided on the final day of the campaign, with AC Milan winning their first Scudetto in 11 years. Stefano Pioli’s side beat Sassuolo to finish two points ahead of their city rivals Inter Milan. (Photo: Stefano Guidi/Getty Images)
Serie A Will Be Decided By A Play Off In Future
Serie A will decide it's title by a play off, if the top teams finish level on points, rather than using goal difference or head-to-head records. After nine years of Juventus reign at the top of Italy, the last two titles have been won by Inter Milan and AC Milan, respectively, with last season going down to the wire between the two Milan sides. Going into the final day of the season the two sides were separated by just two points, meaning either team could have been crowned champions. Had Milan drawn and Inter won then the two teams would have ended on the same amount of points but Stefan Pioli's side would have come out on top, as they did any way, having beaten Simone Inzaghi's team back in February. That's because, unlike the Premier League, Serie A decides positions on head-to-head, if teams finish level on points, but it won't be the case at the top. The Italian football federation (FIGC) decided on Tuesday that from next season the title race will be decided by a 90 minute play-off, followed straight by penalties if the two teams are level, if points can't decide who the champions are. Lower down the table positions will still be decided by who performed better over the two league games between two teams. Zlatan getting his hands on the Serie A trophy once again. Image: Alamy Italy have previously decided championships, European places and relegation spots by play offs until the 2005/06 season, when things moved to head-to-head. In 1964, Inter were actually on the losing end of a play off, as Bologna became Italian champions for the seventh time in their history, with a 2-0 win over the Nerazzurri in Rome. The club also famously lost the title on the final day of the season in 2002, when they led the title race from Juventus going into Matchday 34. They lost to Lazio, whilst Juve and Roma both won their games, and ended up finishing third and missed out on their chance to be champions for the first time since 1989, perhaps making them one of football's most unlucky teams. Milan players celebrate their win over Inter that meant they had the advantage in the title race. Image: Alamy Lukaku's goals fired Inter, under Antonio Conte, to their first title in 11 years, at the end of the 2020/21 campaign, and a loan spell back at the San Siro is expected to be successful, even if some fans haven't forgiven him for leaving in the first place.