INTER MILAN TITLE LEAD SLASHED TO SIX POINTS AFTER THIRD STRAIGHT BLUNDER
Chivu’s Inter Milan looks vulnerable for the first time in 2026, giving Napoli and Milan hope with nine games left.
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.
PULISIC HITS BACK: MILAN STAR SHUTS DOWN 2026 GOAL DROUGHT CONCERNS
"I haven't stopped dreaming." Christian Pulisic addresses his goal drought and the frustration of missing out on the Gold Cup squad.
Christian Pulisic isn’t holding back. When critics started questioning his recent form and worried about his 2026 goal drought, he shut them down, calling those concerns “bad questions". The AC Milan forward, fresh off his Time magazine cover, still trusts his ability to step up for the USMNT as they gear up to co-host the World Cup.
All eyes are on him.
The U.S. is set to share the stage for the 2026 World Cup, and Pulisic is set to become the go-to guy for the national team. Landing on the cover of Time isn’t something soccer stars from America get every day, and it just shows how big a deal he’s become, especially after proving himself in Europe. But right as people are finally giving him mainstream recognition, he’s under the microscope for not putting up his usual numbers in front of the goal.
He’s not fazed by the dip.
When Time asked about his goal drought and how he’s handling not scoring for club or country this year, Pulisic didn’t mince words; he’s not sweating it. “I plan on scoring goals. Such bad questions. I’m not concerned about it, man.” You can hear the confidence in his voice.
Dealing with the noise
Pulisic admits this stretch feels extra tough. Missing out on last June’s Gold Cup squad hurt him, mostly because he’s used to shutting people up with his play. “Normally, I just go out there and score, and that quiets everybody. Right now, I’m in my offseason, so everyone’s talking, and I can’t do anything about it. That’s what’s frustrating.”
For Pulisic, attacking is everything. “Going at the goal, creating attacks, that’s what I live for. Sure, you have to do all the other stuff: defend, run, whatever. That’s fine. But what really gives me joy is finding ways to score and actually scoring.”
Chasing the dream
The U.S. opens their World Cup run against Paraguay at the SoFi Stadium on June 12, and Pulisic will lead the team right here at home. He doesn’t like making big public predictions, but at 27, he keeps that childhood dream alive. “That’s just not how I work. But I’ll lie in bed and imagine myself holding the World Cup trophy. I did that when I was a kid, and I haven’t stopped. You need to believe. Why not?”
WHY DID LAUTARO MARTINEZ REJECT A CAREER-DEFINING MOVE TO THE PREMIER LEAGUE?
"I love Milan." Read why 28-year-old Lautaro Martinez rejected Manchester United and Arsenal to stay at the San Siro in 2026.
Inter captain Lautaro Martinez has clearly put an end to any speculation about leaving San Siro, making it known that he has no plans to entertain offers from Europe’s top clubs. Even with regular links to teams like Barcelona, Manchester United, and Arsenal, the Argentine forward is fully committed to what’s happening in Milan.
Martinez has been quite vocal about his dedication to Inter amid constant rumours about his future. Despite frequent connections to some of the biggest clubs on the continent, he insists there’s no reason for him to move on from the current Serie A champions.
Media reports have often tied him to Barcelona, PSG, Arsenal, and Manchester United. But through various transfer windows, Martinez has consistently pushed back on the idea of leaving Inter. At 28, he remains a key figure in the team’s current setup and has stepped up as the club’s captain and on-field leader.
In an interview with Cronache di Spogliatoio, Martinez expressed his loyalty to Inter’s project. He made it clear that he isn’t interested in changing clubs despite the speculation.
He said, “No, because I am faithful to the Inter project, I feel at home here. My family is happy, we have a restaurant in the city, and we love Milan. From the first day, everyone treated me in a way I didn’t think possible. I achieved so many personal and team goals here.”
Success on the pitch seems to deepen his connection to the club. Inter recently secured another league title and continues to chase trophies, including the Coppa Italia. On an individual level, Martinez is eyeing the Capocannoniere prize as Serie A’s top scorer. His steady performances underline why he’s considered one of the most reliable forwards in European football.
Since his move from Racing Club in 2018, Martinez has become the defining presence in Inter’s modern lineup. With 173 goals over 372 competitive games, it’s clear how vital he is to the team.
Looking ahead, the club sees Martinez as a central piece in their long-term plans. His leadership and scoring ability make him hard to replace. Settled both on and off the field in Milan, he seems set on continuing his story at the Giuseppe Meazza, despite ongoing interest from Europe’s elite clubs.
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