Inter under siege as Scudetto race heats up again
The games are coming thick and fast for Serie A leader Inter Milan after reaching the UEFA Champions League semi-finals in midweek.
The Nerazzurri now faces a tricky away test at fifth-placed Bologna as it continues its Serie A title defence and treble hunt.
A 2-2 draw at home to Bayern Munich was enough to advance in Europe and set up a meeting with Barcelona in the semi-finals, and with a Coppa Italia semi-final second leg coming up next week against rival AC Milan, Simone Inzaghi must ensure his side is not distracted from the Scudetto race.
"Now we have the championship, with Napoli fighting with us for the Scudetto and the challenge in Bologna which will be very tough, we have to win there too," Inter defender Benjamin Pavard said after scoring against Bayern.
A seven-game unbeaten league run has seen Inzaghi's Inter take over at the top but it has yet to shake off pretender to its throne Napoli, and just three points separate the sides heading into the final six matches.
Bologna drew 2-2 at San Siro when it met Inter in January and, despite a 2-0 loss to Atalanta last weekend, Vincenzo Italiano's men are still challenging for a return to UEFA Champions League football next season.
A fifth-place finish last season brought Bologna back to Europe's premier club competition for the first time since a preliminary round exit in 1964.
It did not make it past the league phase this season but would dearly love another shot and is two points off fourth-placed Juventus.
Fifth spot may not be enough this time around, with the Premier League already assured of one of the two extra UEFA Champions League places, with LaLiga leading Serie A for the remaining place.
Bologna and Inter could also meet in the Coppa Italia final, with Italiano's side all but booking its place after a 3-0 first-leg win in its semi-final tie with Empoli, while Inter is level at 1-1 with Milan.
Winning a first major trophy since it won the Coppa in 1974 is sure to be on Bologna's minds but for now its full focus is on getting three more points in the league.
With a treble still possible, there is little likelihood of Inter losing concentration either, which should guarantee a fascinating game at Stadio Renato Dall'Ara.
Napoli could be level on points with Inter by then, with Antonio Conte's team away to bottom club Monza. Monza is all but destined for the drop, 11 points off 17th place and with just two league wins all season.
Conte, already missing defender Alessandro Buongiorno through injury, will now have to plan without his replacement Juan Jesus who suffered a thigh injury last weekend.
Juve will look to solidify its hold on fourth spot and give itself a chance of overtaking Atalanta, which is two points ahead in third, when it travels to Parma.
Atalanta bounced back from three straight defeats by beating Bologna last weekend and is at ninth-placed Milan for its next match.
