Inter Milan aiming to widen gap against Serie A title challengers AC Milan

6 February 2026 at 03:08

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Inter Milan head to Sassuolo this weekend, presenting them with the opportunity to increase their lead atop the Serie A standings to eight points, given that title competitors AC Milan sit out the action.

Cristian Chivus side prolonged their unbeaten sequence in the league to 11 games last week, encompassing 10 victories, by defeating Cremonese.

Since AC Milan cannot utilise the San Siro this weekend owing to the venue staging the Winter Olympics opening event, Inter have the chance to bolster their position in the championship contest during their Sunday trip to Sassuolo.

Inter seek to reclaim the Scudetto following Napolis success last season, yet forward Lautaro Martinez stresses that complacency must be avoided despite their strong performances.

"It is not a signal to the other teams in the league, it is a reminder for us," Martinez commented following their triumph against Cremonese.

"A considerable distance remains, and the competition is highly competitive."

Inter continue to compete across three competitions after securing a 2-1 victory over Torino on Wednesday to advance to the Italian Cup semi finals.

They face Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League knockout playoff stage later this month as well.

"January was demanding for us, and February promises to be more intense," Chivu remarked after the Cup quarter final win.

"I am not discussing league championships, trebles, or the Champions League, we simply aim to stay competitive and perform at our peak.

"Our goal is to contend in every arena."

Milan, lacking European commitments and eliminated from the Cup, face three matches within 10 days later this month because of the Olympics.

However, Rossoneri manager Massimiliano Allegri believes this weeks pause will aid his squad.

"Reaching 50 points this season was crucial, as our target has consistently been to secure a top four finish," he noted after their 3-0 victory at Bologna on Tuesday.

"We will make the most of this rest, since there is no game on Sunday, and anticipate having our full roster available once more."

Third placed Napoli, trailing by nine points, travel to Genoa on Saturday in an effort to sustain their faint prospects of retaining the title, despite numerous injury setbacks.

Juventus have rejuvenated their campaign under Luciano Spalletti to secure a top four spot and will welcome a Lazio team lacking steadiness.

Fiorentina aim to recover from back to back league losses when they host Torino.

Paolo Vanolis squad linger in 18th position, a single point above the drop zone, and persist in grave risk of descending from the elite division for the first time since the 2003/04 campaign.

Player to watch: Moise Kean

The Italian forward reappeared from injury as a replacement against Napoli last weekend, and Fiorentina urgently require him to regain his sharpness swiftly amid their relegation battle.

The 25 year old, who tallied 25 goals across all tournaments last season, has faced difficulties this year but managed three strikes in five outings prior to an ankle problem last month.

Kean also intends to demonstrate his readiness before Italys World Cup qualifying playoff semi final versus Northern Ireland in March.

Key stats

7: Napoli remain undefeated in their most recent seven encounters with Genoa

30: Only Inter with 37 have amassed more points than Juventus 30 since Spalletti took charge

50: AC Milan have hit the 50 point threshold after merely 23 Serie A matches for just the third occasion

Fixtures times GMT

Friday

Verona v Pisa 1945

Saturday

Genoa v Napoli 1700, Fiorentina v Torino 1945

Sunday

Bologna v Parma 1130, Lecce v Udinese 1400, Sassuolo v Inter Milan 1700, Juventus v Lazio 1945