For months, watching Inter Milan march toward the title felt about as interesting as waiting for your train. Reliable and dull. You didn’t get the epic battles that made Serie A legendary; you got results right on schedule, week after week, with nobody else really in sight.

Now everything’s flipped. At least as much chaos happens in Serie A.

Inter haven’t won in their last three league matches. That’s not just a blip; it’s woken up AC Milan and Napoli. Suddenly, both teams believe there’s a real chance.

The double-digit gap between Inter and their rivals has shrunk six points to Milan and seven to Napoli. Nine games left. That’s not a comfortable cushion; it’s a challenge.

Don't get me wrong, Inter haven’t completely fallen apart. They’re wobbling, though. It’s that uneasy feeling you get when a champion starts to lose its grip. They grabbed a draw when they should’ve won, dropped points in a match they could've taken, and followed up with a draw that just lacked conviction. Nobody's calling it a disaster yet. It’s less dramatic than that. It’s something worse; it’s uncertainty.

For so long, Inter felt untouchable because they ran games with iron control. They dictated tempo, suffocated their opponents, and then struck when it mattered. But chip away even a little bit of that confidence, and the whole system starts looking fragile, almost human.

Now teams are noticing the cracks. Pressing a little harder. Defending a little more aggressively. That sense that Inter would always find a way has faded.

And in that gap, Milan and Napoli have slipped in.

Milan hasn’t exactly wowed anybody, but they’re relentless. They grind out wins, staying in the hunt without making a fuss. They just edged Torino, 3-2, right after a disappointing loss to Lazio and, before that, a crucial win over Inter. They're close enough now that Inter actually has to look behind them. That's when things get tense.

Napoli’s comeback is messier. They swing between brilliance and frustration, but with four straight league wins, each by just one goal, they’re keeping pace, too.

The biggest shift, honestly, isn’t in the numbers. It’s in the mood. Inter doesn't feel inevitable anymore. That matters way more than any points difference. Title races aren’t about who’s ahead on paper; they’re about nerves, doubts, and those little moments where confidence starts leaking, and one bad result turns into a streak.

Chivu’s team is still on top. They’re still, by most measures, the best squad in Italy. But for the first time this season, they look vulnerable. Milan and Napoli see it.

That’s why a race that seemed locked up in February is wide open now. Not because Inter collapsed, but because they did something even riskier: they gave everyone else hope.

After the 1-0 win at Cagliari, Napoli’s manager, Antonio Conte, shared his thoughts with DAZN. He pointed out that getting key players back is important, though he said they must be fully fit. Anguissa and McTominay aren’t quite there yet, while Kevin De Bruyne looked good. Lobotka struggled a bit, and there’s hope that Rrahmani and Di Lorenzo can return to full fitness soon. Conte admitted that competing for the title won’t be easy, especially with players like Neres posing a challenge. He emphasised that Napoli has held steady over seven months, and now the focus shifts to securing Champions League qualification. They’re aware that other teams are chasing the same spot, but there’s no reason to stop pushing forward. Today’s result puts a bit of pressure on the teams ahead.

Regarding the midfield and attacking midfield, Conte said the team made too many mistakes and could have controlled the game better, especially since Cagliari weren’t pressing hard. They pushed for a second goal in the second half, and as always, anything can happen in these tight matches. The three points are valuable, but they remain cautious because it doesn’t take much to be overtaken.

On the importance of keeping a clean sheet, Conte highlighted that after 11 games without one, it was crucial not to concede. Cagliari didn’t manage a single shot on target, showing how well Napoli defended. He praised the commitment and understanding of the players, though he admits the team still struggles a bit with finishing their chances.

At the press conference, Conte expanded on the need for clinical finishing. He noted that going up 2-0 would have eased pressure, as a 1-0 lead is always fragile; a momentary lapse or scramble can let the opponent back in. Still, he expressed satisfaction with the team’s progress, especially given the challenges over the past seven months. With more players returning from injury, Conte has more options to change things up during matches, bringing in fresh energy and quality.

When asked about the double playmaker setup with McTominay and De Bruyne, Conte described it as an ongoing process rather than something new. The midfield lineup can vary, Lobotka alongside Anguissa or McTominay with Gilmour, for example, but the underlying idea remains consistent. He acknowledged that relying on two playmakers might reduce physicality at times, though it improves passing quality. Since November, they’ve stuck with this four-man midfield system because it suits their style and creates problems for opponents.

Conte also expressed satisfaction with the clean sheet, especially as this was their fourth consecutive win ahead of the international break. He recalled the frustration following a loss in Bologna and welcomed the chance to regroup over the next two weeks before facing Milan. Preventing shots on target was a key success today, but there’s still room to improve in finishing. Being more ruthless in front of the goal remains a priority.