Assessing the title credentials of Serie A's top 8 at the Christmas break
By Max Cooper
We might be blessed with a Boxing Day bonanza of Premier League action on British shores, but calcio has come to a standstill in Italy.
The scientifically unproven myth that footballers actually need a bit of a break from running themselves into the ground two or three times a week has been put to the test in Serie A, meaning a ball will not be kicked again until the first weekend of the new year.
That much deserved pause in the calendar also means that for the first time since 2009, the two MIlan clubs are occupying the top two spots in the league at Christmas, while champions Juventus are stuttering way down in sixth place.
So, after 14 match days and plenty of twists and turns, which teams are best placed to go on and end Juventus' monopoly of Italian football? 90min assesses each side's credentials after a third of the season.
8. SS Lazio
Current League Position: 8th
We start with eighth-placed SS Lazio, who, despite pulling off some tremendous heroics in the Champions League, have yet to really string any decent form together on the domestic scene.
Possessing a paper-thin squad contributed to their downfall in last year's title race, and failure to add any depth to that team has already begun to take its toll. In Ciro Immobile, Lazio boast one of the best goalscorers in Italy, but when he's not quite on song, the whole team suffers.
The Eagles will soar higher than eighth, but a title challenge is simply not on the cards this time round.
Title Chances: 2/10
7. Sassuolo
Current League Position: 4th
Who foresaw Sassuolo gatecrashing the top four at the annual Christmas party? Roberto De Zerbi has built a brilliant, dynamic and attacking Neroverdi side, and they are a whole lot of fun to watch.
This expansive system doesn't always work though. And when it doesn't, Sassuolo rarely have a secondary plan to fall back on. This naivety, combined with inexperience when fighting among the upper echelons of the table, could be their undoing.
It's been a great ride, but it feels like it must come to an end at some point.
Go on, Sassuolo, surprise me.
Title Chances: 3/10
6. AS Roma
Current League Position: 3rd
AS Roma have enjoyed a solid start to the new season, and Giallorossi supporters will be pleased to be welcoming 2021 in third place. Paulo Fonseca's mix of young defenders and wise, canny strikers has worked wonders thus far, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan producing his best form since his Borussia Dortmund days.
The bad news? This team suffers from serious stage fright. They cannot keep it together against their direct rivals, and have failed to beat any of the current top nine sides this year.
The shocking collapse to Atalanta in a 4-1 defeat will have hurt the most, and only reassured fans that despite their lofty position in the table, they don't possess the mentality required to get over the line at key moments.
Title Chances: 4/10
5. Atalanta
Current League Position: 7th
Although Atalanta will have been tucking into their Christmas lasagna while sitting seventh in the table, it's hard to write off a blistering second half run to propel them up the table.
Inconsistencies are appearing in la Dea's game that we haven't seen in recent years - a stunning 4-1 win over AS Roma was followed up by a two-goal collapse in a draw with Bologna.
When this team gets going, it's hard to stop them, though. Could they string together title-winning form in the second half of the season? It'd take an almighty showing of strength and resilience, but you should never bet against Gian Piero Gasperini's side.
Title Chances: 5/10
4. SSC Napoli
Current League Position: 5th
SSC Napoli should be much higher up the table than fifth place when seeing in the new year, but one point from a possible nine in the final three games have extinguished the fire burning in Naples.
Much like Roma, defeats to Inter, Lazio, Milan and Sassuolo suggest that while I Partenopei can steamroller the lesser teams, they can't quite get over the line against their direct rivals.
Gennaro Gattuso's men must break through the mental barrier that is preventing them from throwing their name into the hat by producing a giant-killing or two. They've still got Juventus to come twice, too...
Title Chances: 5/10
3. Juventus
Current League Position: 6th
Lying sixth at Christmas, Andrea Pirlo's wine won't be tasting quite as sweet this year. The rookie coach always knew he had his work cut out when taking over from Maurizio Sarri, but perhaps he didn't expect it to be going this badly.
Six wins from 13 games speaks of a Juventus team unable to grind out a result, especially when you factor in the five 1-1 draws they've slipped to since the new campaign began.
But no matter who is in charge, or the state of the playing personnel, it's impossible to rule out the Old Lady. Their status as champions is under serious threat though, and if they don't recapture that ruthless winning edge, then they may be surrendering their throne for the first time in a decade.
Title Chances: 7/10
2. Milan
Current League Position: 1st
2020 has been a gruesome year for us all - except if you're a Milan supporter. I Rossoneri were the form team in Italy over the second half of last season, and they've carried that winning mentality into the new campaign, even when missing the spine of their side through injury.
There are goals, clean sheets and last-minute heroes throughout this team, and their dramatic injury-time winner against Lazio on Wednesday - which allowed them to finish the year at Serie A's summit - only confirmed their merit for this current position.
Milan have kept on winning without talisman Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and with the Swede now on the mend, they're only going to get stronger. It's a lot of pressure for such a young and developing team, but the time is now to seize power in Italy once again.
Title Chances: 8/10
1. Inter
Current League Position: 2nd
It felt very 'Inter' that they were seconds away from ending 2020 top of Serie A, only for their bitter rivals to upstage them with a last-minute goal to leapfrog I Nerazzurri. But Antonio Conte will take plenty of heart from his side's recent form, winning seven on the bounce to secure second place.
The Italian giants have struggled in Europe once again, but failing so spectacularly may prove a long-term advantage. Their Champions League humiliation means they didn't even qualify for the Europa League, and those extra midweek rests will come in handy when their rivals are putting in the miles around the continent.
A Milan title race is on the cards, and so long as Inter don't suffer their usual winter crumble, they'll fancy their chances of ending their long drought without a league trophy.
Title Chances: 9/10