With two matchdays remaining in the 2025/26 Serie A season, the race for next season’s Champions League is more open than ever. Behind Inter, already champions of Italy, three spots remain up for grabs, with five teams still in the mix: Napoli, Juventus, Milan, Roma, and Como. This situation makes the end of the season unpredictable, evenly matched, and extremely tense.

Matchday 36 has thrown everything back into perspective. Napoli’s 3-2 defeat to Bologna has closed the gap and put pressure on Antonio Conte’s team, which seemed so close to mathematically qualifying. The Azzurri remain ahead with 70 points, followed by Juventus with 68. Behind them, Milan and Roma are chasing with 67, while Como continues to impress with 65 points and Champions League dreams still alive.

Napoli, a narrow margin but still an advantage

Until a few weeks ago, it seemed impossible to imagine Napoli involved in the Champions League battle. The Azzurri had built a significant lead thanks to consistent results and one of the league’s best defenses. However, the defeat against Bologna has once again changed the balance.

Conte‘s team still maintains a small margin over their rivals, but they can no longer afford to make any slip-ups. In recent matches, Napoli have appeared less physically fit and less lucid in managing key moments of matches. However, some individuals continue to demonstrate quality and experience, elements that could prove decisive in the final push.

The schedule remains favorable, and the Azzurri still have their destiny in their own hands. However, they will need to immediately regain mental composure to avoid unexpected complications.

Juventus, solidity and pressure to manage

Juventus likely remains the team with the most stability among the chasing pack. After their win at Lecce, the Bianconeri have maintained third place and continue to give the impression of being able to handle pressure better than their closest rivals.

Luciano Spalletti‘s team isn’t enjoying its best form in terms of play, but they have rediscovered a certain defensive solidity, and Dusan Vlahovic has returned to being the main point of attack.

The Serbian, against Lecce, decided the match after just 12 seconds, confirming his decisiveness in the season’s toughest moments. The feeling is that Juventus has something extra in terms of experience and emotional control, but the margin remains slim, and a misstep could completely reopen the debate.

AC Milan, the team most at risk

Of all the contenders, AC Milan appears to be the one struggling the most at the crucial moment of the season. The defeat against Atalanta has greatly complicated the Rossoneri’s path, once again exposing weaknesses already evident throughout the year.

AC Milan has lost confidence, especially mentally. In recent weeks, Massimiliano Allegri‘s team has alternated between good performances and sudden blackouts, conceding too much defensively and showing little consistency throughout the ninety minutes. Not even positive signs from some individuals are enough to completely reassure the atmosphere. At San Siro, the atmosphere remains tense, and the next two matches against Genoa and Cagliari are practically mandatory wins.

Given their technical quality and squad depth, AC Milan remains fully in contention. But today, they are probably the team with the most pressure and the least margin for error.

Roma, enthusiasm and continuity

If there’s one team that seems to be approaching the final stretch with enthusiasm and confidence, it’s AS Roma. The Giallorossi have found consistency right at the most crucial moment of the season, and the comeback victory against Parma has further strengthened their confidence and morale.

Gian Piero Gasperini‘s team appears intense, aggressive, and mentally focused. In recent weeks, Roma has probably played the most convincing football of the teams competing for the Champions League, fueled by the team’s energy and improving fitness.

The derby against Lazio threatens to become one of the key moments of Roma’s entire season. A victory would allow Roma to enter the final matchday with enormous enthusiasm and a real chance of qualifying.

Como, the fairytale that wants to continue

The real surprise of this Serie A season remains Cesc Fabregas‘ Como. The Lombardy team has already conquered Europe well in advance, but they show no signs of slowing down.

Como is heading into the season finale in arguably the league’s best form. The team plays with enthusiasm, quality, and a light-hearted mindset, characteristics that have allowed them to remain in the Champions League zone until the final days.

The victory against Verona once again confirmed the maturity of a team that, despite the pressure of the big teams, continues to win consistently.

On paper, the schedule may help, but they’ll need two wins and probably some favorable results elsewhere. In any case, Como has already turned their season into something extraordinary.

A decisive final 180 minutes

The feeling is that everything will only be decided on the final day. Napoli, Juventus, Milan, Roma, and Como enter the final 180 minutes with completely different moods, but all still convinced they can secure a place in next season’s Champions League.