Europe’s title race drama: Inter Milan chase Serie A leaders Napoli, Ajax blow nine-point lead over PSV, Sporting CP and Benfica level in Portugal

The Premier League title race might have been wrapped up early, but around Europe the battle to be crowned champions is going to the wire.

In Serie A, UEFA Champions League finalists Inter Milan are in a tight tussle with Antonio Conte’s Napoli – and there’s prospect of a title play-off if they finish level on points.

Ajax have blown a nine-point lead in the Eredivisie and now trail PSV Eindhoven by a point heading into the final day of the season.

And in Portugal, the top two sides are level on points heading into the final day.

Barcelona were also made to wait to win La Liga after a 95th-minute Real Madrid winner against Mallorca.

Inter’s hopes of defending their Serie A title looked to be fading when they suffered successive defeats in late April.

If Napoli and Inter finish level on points, they would meet in a play-off game to decide the title winners. The team with the best goal difference would host the match.

There could be a complication of when to play the game as Inter are competing in the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday, May 31, a week after the Serie A season finishes.

What a ride it has been in Francesco Farioli’s debut season as Ajax head coach.

From nine points behind PSV in December, to nine points clear at the top in April, and now a point off first heading into the final round of matches.

Ajax needed just six points from their final five games to win the title, but two of those resulted in heavy defeats, and two in draws, most recently conceding an equaliser in the ninth minute of injury-time against 10-man Groningen.

PSV, who have won their last six games in a row, are now in the driving seat as they lead by a point at the top of the table.

Is there still another twist in store? PSV travel to Sparta Rotterdam on the final day while Ajax host Twente.

“It’s not over yet. We’ve got one more match to play: let’s go,” said Farioli after the crushing draw against Groningen.

A clash between the top two sides sitting on the same number of points in the penultimate round of matches: what more could you ask for in a title race?

The clash between Sporting and Benfica did not end up being decisive, though, as they drew 1-1, meaning the winners of the Primeira Liga will be decided on the final day.

Sporting and Benfica are both on 79 points, but it’s the former who holds the advantage via the head-to-head record thanks to a 1-0 win in their first meeting this season.

That victory means Sporting only need to match Benfica’s result on the final weekend to be crowned champions.

Sporting host fifth-placed Guimaraes in their last match, while Benfica travel to fourth-placed Braga.

The title rivals also meet in the Portuguese Cup final on May 25.

2. Real Madrid – 78 points

It looked like Barcelona’s title celebrations would be starting on Wednesday evening as second-placed Real Madrid were drawing with Mallorca heading deep into stoppage time.

Barcelona can now wrap things up themselves when they face city rivals Espanol on Thursday.

Hansi Flick’s side need just two points from their last three matches to be crowned champions.