The Race for Europe Decided on Final Whistle

The curtain falls on the 2025-26 Serie A season this Sunday, May 24, with a dramatic final round that will define European qualifications and relegation. Seven matches are scheduled, but the eyes of the football world will be fixed on the five games kicking off simultaneously at 21:45 local time. These fixtures hold the keys to the Champions League, Europa League, and the drop to Serie B.

SSC Napoli has already mathematically secured their place in the Champions League next season. The Neapolitans, who claimed the Scudetto last year, host Udinese Calcio in a match devoid of high stakes for the home side. They enter the final day with a guaranteed top-four finish, celebrating their domestic dominance while looking ahead to continental competition.

Milan and Roma Hold Their Destiny in Their Hands

The battle for the remaining Champions League spots is a tense affair. AC Milan, currently sitting third, hosts Cagliari Calcio. The Rossoneri need a result to ensure they do not slip to fourth, potentially missing out on the elite European competition entirely. Cagliari, fighting for pride after securing their status, offers little resistance but carries the weight of a passionate away support.

Meanwhile, AS Roma, ranked fourth, travels to face Hellas Verona. Verona is already relegated, meaning they have nothing to play for but dignity. This presents a golden opportunity for Roma to seal their Champions League ticket with a win, provided their rivals stumble. The pressure is immense for the Giallorossi, who must focus on their own game rather than the results elsewhere.

Relegation Battle and The Chasers

The chase for the final European spots sees Juventus and Como 1907 facing near-impossible tasks. Juventus, managed by Luciano Spalletti, plays a city derby against Torino. With the Scudetto out of reach and European qualification seemingly gone, this match is about pride and sending off fans with a victory. Como, led by Cesc Fabregas, hosts Cremonese, a team desperately fighting for survival.

The relegation zone is where the drama peaks. Cremonese, the newly promoted side, starts the day one point above the drop zone, level on points with Lecce. Jamie Vardy’s side must win to stay safe, but they also need help. Their fate partly rests with Lecce, who host Genoa CFC. Genoa is already safe, but a win for the Ligurians would likely condemn Cremonese to Serie B, ending the hopes of the former Leicester City striker’s club.

Other matches include Parma hosting Sassuolo at 16:00, a game with no bearing on the title, Europe, or relegation. The final day promises heartbreak and celebration, as the last chapter of an unpredictable Serie A season is written.