How Should the Remainder of the Serie A Be Decided?

Italy x COVID-19: Country-Wide Lockdown

The 2019/20 Serie A campaign was officially suspended on 03/09/2020, until at least 04/03/2020, due to the Coronavirus outbreak. This decision was part of a Government Decree announced by Italy Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, which effectively put the country into lockdown; with the ‘red zones’, also known as ‘quarantines zones’, being extended country-wide, all sports, events, and public gatherings were banned. Also included in these strict measures, is the fact that people will only be able to travel for ’emergencies’ or ‘unavoidable work commitments’. Police forces will be on patrol in the streets; those who attempt to enter or exit a region without a valid reason will be fined. The Prime Minister said that everything within this decree was implemented in order to “protect the population – especially the most fragile of individuals”.

As of 05/01/2020, Italy is the country with the second most confirmed total fatalities (+28,200), and the third most confirmed cases of Coronavirus (+207,400).

Update #1, March 19th: Italy Set for Extended Lockdown

Italy Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte is set to announce an extension of the country’s current lockdown; the Scientific Committee has suggested the extension be for another 15 days, until 04/18/2020. This new decree is in response to Italians who are unfortunately ignoring the provisions which were put forward in the first announcement to better contain the spread of Coronavirus.

Update #2, March 20th: School & Easter

The extension of Italy’s current lockdown will also apply to schools; students will only be able to return to their classes when their absolute safety is guaranteed. As far as Easter is concerned, the places of worship will be closed on Palm Sunday and the following Holy Week (which includes Good Friday and Easter Sunday). Remaining included in these strict measures will be the prohibition of trips, outdoor lunches, and any other activities leading to gatherings. The overall message is the same: stay at home and see as few people as possible to contain the spread.

Update #3, March 23rd: Closure of Non-Essential Business & Stricter Rules

Italy has banned any movement inside the country and closed all non-essential businesses to stem the spread of coronavirus; supermarkets, banks, pharmacies and post offices will continue to operate. Italians have also been banned from moving across municipalities other than for “non-deferrable and proven business or health reasons or other urgent matters.”

Update #4, March 28th: New Decree to be Announced Soon

A new government decree is expected to be announced soon; it will close some companies and services but re-open others. This is because priorities change, and as a result, the list must be revised, modified, and updated regularly. The latest additions to the list of companies that will be closing are those which produce string, ropes, cables, rubber products, tires, beverages, tobacco, accessories, agricultural and forestry machinery, and machinery for the food industry; to be removed from the list and re-opened will be companies that manufacture and package automatic dosing machines, hollow glass, metal radiators and containers for central heating boilers, light metal, and batteries and electric accumulators.

Update #5, March 31st: USA Assists Italy

Donald Trump and the United States of America will be providing Giuseppe Conte and Italy with $100 million worth of medical equipment for combating the Coronavirus pandemic.

Update #6, April 2nd: Italy Announces Extension of Lockdown

Italy Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has officially announced that the country’s current lockdown will be extended to 04/13/2020. “We cannot allow the irresponsibility of some individuals to harm everyone… If the cases consolidate, we will loosen measures. But I can’t guarantee that it will happen from April 14th… I urge everyone to continue to comply with the measures.”

Update #7, April 4th: FIGC Centre at Coverciano Opens Its Doors to COVID-19 Patients

Starting from April 6th, the FIGC Centre at Coverciano will open its doors to COVID-19 patients. It will now be known as the ‘Home of Solidarity’.

Update #8, April 7th: Money Provided to Businesses

Alongside the Minister of Economy and Finance (Roberto Gualtieri), the Minister of Economic Development (Stefano Patuanelli), and the Minister of Education (Lucia Azzolina), Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte announced a new emergency decree that will offer more than €400 billion worth of liquidity and bank loans to companies which have been affected by the Coronavirus; €200 billion for their domestic market and €200 billion for exports.

The infographic below, created by The College Monk, shows how students can stay safe at school and how schools can implement social distancing measures.

Italy x COVID-19: 2019/20 Serie A

Both the ‘Italian Football Federation’ (simply referred to as ‘FIGC’) and the ‘Union of European Football Associations’ (simply referred to as ‘UEFA’) have made a mess of the situation from the very start of the Coronavirus outbreak. Not only did they delay the announcement for matches to be played behind closed doors, but they also delayed the suspension of European and domestic competition, going against the statements of the World Health Organization (simply referred to as WHO) and many other reputable sources.

March 12th: Current Situation

While currently suspended for a month, the Serie A (amongst other European leagues) is more likely than not to just be completely canceled. This would be a decision that would be in the best interest of the health of players, management, fans, and society overall. However, stemming from this comes confusion and a clash of opinions regarding the process of assigning the Scudetto, the four clubs who finish in UEFA Champions League positions, the two clubs who finish in UEFA Europa League positions, the three clubs to be relegated to the second division of Italian football, and the three clubs to be promoted to the top flight of Italian football.

March 12th: Proposed Solution

Pictured above is the current 2019/20 Serie A table as of 03/12/2020. As it stands, the proposed solution to the aforementioned concerns surrounds a ‘play-off’ and ‘play-out’ if the league cannot be finished on time. This would mean that the top four teams (Juventus, Lazio, Inter, Atalanta) will play for the Scudetto while the bottom four clubs (Brescia, SPAL, Lecce, Genoa) will play to remain in the top flight.

Update #1, March 13th: Serie A Clubs Reject Play-Off/Play-Out Idea

According to Italian news outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport, Serie A clubs have rejected the idea of a ‘play-off’ and ‘play-out’ scenario to end the 2019/20 Serie A season. This was after the league had an assembly, via video call, on March 13th; this method has not been seen in the Italian top flight since the 2004/05 season. With Euro 2020 rumored to be postponed until 2021, the new proposal is to have matches being played every three days when Coronavirus has passed.

Update #2, March 15th: Potential Date to Resume Serie A

According to Italian news outlets La Gazzetta dello Sport and La Repubblica, if Serie A is to finish by June 30th, the most likely plan would be to resume play on the weekend of May 2nd; this means that clubs would play 17 matches in approximately two months, with nine-weekend rounds and three-midweek rounds. The Coppa Italia is more likely than not going to be moved into the 2020/21 season.

Update #3, March 16th: Euro 2020 Potentially Postponed & Potential Date to Resume Serie A

According to Italian news outlet Corriere della Sera, UEFA could move Euro 2020 from this summer (June 12th to July 12th) to winter (November 23rd to December 23rd), modeling the tournament on the next edition of the World Cup (taking place in Qatar in 2022). This, however, is based upon the Serie A recommencing on the weekend of May 2nd; even this seems unlikely due to the effects Coronavirus has had, and is continuing to have, on the world.

Opinions

Below, a composition of several Serie A followers’ opinions on three topics. First, is the assignment of the Scudetto; second, is the assignment of the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League Spots; and thirdly, is the assignment of the relegation spots. These opinions were provided on March 12th, 2020.

@CalcioEngland (Serie A)

1. I’m not convinced that anything like normality will be restored for some time – and if that’s the case then the options are more limited. I think the Scudetto should be declared void. 
2. I would take the league positions at the halfway point in the season and determine the European places on that basis ie take the standings after everyone has played each other once. It feels a bit crass to be considering the possibility of play-offs. 
3. Initially, I erred towards the same answer as #2 above. Though you then have the same dilemma about who is promoted from B! Perhaps controversially, I might advocate having no relegation/promotion at all.

@TheCalcioGuys (Serie A)

1. Obviously this is all a second priority to people health and safety but we were thinking, seeing how the table is right now, to have a play-off or possible round-robin between Juve & Lazio for the Scudetto,
2. Inter, Atalanta & Roma for the remaining UEFA Champions League spots and Napoli, Milan, Hellas Verona & Parma for the UEFA Europa League spots, and
3. Brescia, SPAL, Lecce & Genoa for the relegation battle.

@DJBisogno (Serie A)

@Abhishek_J_C (Serie A)

1. Scudetto should go to the team with the higher xGDiff. A combination of xGoalDifference and form should then award xPoints and decide which team was more superior given their performance level throughout the campaign. I feel the luck element should be removed given the circumstances.
2. UEFA spots should be frozen as it is in the league table.
3. Relegation should be suspended for this season. Top 1/2 teams from Serie B should be promoted and the next season should see 4/5 teams relegated instead of 3.

@AtalantaNewsUK (Atalanta)

1. The assignment of the Scudetto; assuming the Coronavirus situation has calmed enough to allow football I prefer a play-off featuring the top four teams. It’s not ideal but at least we finish the season on the pitch. 
2. Play-offs has to be the only solution. If we have time to complete the season then fair enough but that’s very unlikely, This is the only way to keep the decision making and outcomes decided on the field of play, I think that’s something everyone would want. 
3. Same as number 2, play-offs is the only solution.

*What I will add is that for European places and the relegation spots, everyone needs to be on the same page here. Including Serie B. Because if we don’t have a play-off and we go down another route there is a door left open for any club that feels hard done by to go to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. For example, if we stop now and the bottom three are relegated, would they accept it?*

@Kaus_Pandey17 (Fiorentina)

1. For the Scudetto, hopefully something a lot like the picture above; a mini play-off tournament involving the top-four. It should be like what happens in the IPL in cricket. The first game will involve Lazio and Juventus. Whoever wins goes through to the final. The loser stays in the competition. Inter and Atalanta play the 2nd qualifier. The loser of that goes out. The winner plays the loser of Juventus-Lazio. The winner of the last game plays the winner of qualifier 1 in the final.
2. For the European spots; a mini-league involving teams from Roma to Bologna. Bologna, because the gap between Napoli and Bologna is low. Teams play each other only once and the mini-table determines the European spot. An extra team goes in there, depending on who wins the Coppa Italia.
3. For the relegation spots; since Serie B games are also suspended, something needs to be done to determine teams’ standards with respect to Serie B sides. Draw Serie A sides with Serie B sides. The number of teams in that race is uncertain. I’d get the bottom two to play against the top two of Serie B. Benevento v Brescia and SPAL v Crotone. Out of the eight teams from Lecce to Sassuolo, play a mini-league like it was for the European spots. Whoever finishes bottom gets relegated.

@OllieGlanvill (Fiorentina)

1. I think there should be a play-off for the title between Lazio and Juventus.
2. I think the european places should be assigned as they are currently.
3. I think there should be a play-off for relegation between 15th-18th.

@Rick_Hough (Hellas Verona)

1. The first thing I’d say is that Italy is now in the midst of an unprecedented public health crisis. For those of us living here, football is an absolutely secondary concern. I’d even go as far as to say I couldn’t give a toss who they give the Scudetto to (but then again I’m not a fan of Juve, Lazio or Inter!). It’s important to put that on the record.
2. Assign the top four clubs the champions leagues spots with Roma and Napoli the UEFA spots. Looking at the points on the board at this point in time, that seems fair.
3. The situation at the bottom might be slightly more complicated. Some kind of playoff tournament may be in order, but I certainly think Benevento merit automatic promotion.

*Also, this has been the best season for Hellas Verona in living memory! Certainly since the late 1980s. It’s heartbreaking that the season has finished this way, but we have to look at the bigger picture. Anyway, I’d keep it simple.*

@NimaTavRood (Inter)

1. If we look at China it’s taken them two months to begin to get back to some form of life that resembles normal life, so I’d be very surprised if matches can be played until May at the very earliest. At that point, if at all possible, try to finish the season by playing the remaining games by postponing the euros. If it’s not possible to play even by the start of June then just cancel the season and let the teams end the season in their current positions, don’t appoint a winner.
2. Let the top six go to respective European competition.
3. Don’t relegate any teams, promote only two teams from Serie B, and play next season with 22 teams; but relegate five teams to get back to normal the following season.

@LeeCalcio (Lazio)

1. The Scudetto shouldn’t be assigned and the idea of a four-team play-off for it is both ridiculous and unfair, particularly to Lazio and Juventus. 
2. The Champions League and Europa League spots should be given to the teams who currently occupy those spots. 
3. Same for the relegation spots. In terms of promoting teams from Serie B, the top three teams should be promoted, with no play-offs.

@Laziale_Belgio (Lazio)

1. No Scudetto assignment without finishing the season or if absolutely needed a play off between Juve & Lazio only.
2. If the competition ends, then the current table should assign the European spots.
3. If no restart, then the current relegation spots should count, no play-offs.

@Shawn_Mcintosh (Lazio)

1. There’s no perfect solution to the Scudetto decision. The integrity of the 2020 Scudetto will undoubtedly be tainted in some sense. Given the point gap between Atalanta and Inter to Lazio and Juve, it would be wildly unfair to give them the same odds of being declared champions of Italy in a four-team playoff setup. That would essentially discredit the achievements of Lazio and Juve, completely undermining the point gap both those clubs have earned up to this point. The fairest decision, if we must award a Scudetto winner, is for Juve and Lazio to play a single match to determine the winner. The second Juve Lazio match was still looming too, making it more reasonable that those two should play in one final match. 
2. I would assign all remaining European spots as is. The point gap between 4th and 5th is significant enough (factoring in the game in hand Atalanta has on Roma).
3. In the same format, as we decided the Scudetto, I think you do a final match to determine the last relegated club between Genoa and Lecce.

@DJBSerieAWriter (Lazio)

1. I think the assignment of the Scudetto is a tough one with both Lazio and Juve being so close. I would lean towards there being a playoff between the two at a later date as they were due to play once more this season. If it was my decision though it would be a playoff for points. So one straight 90 minute game, the same as a normal league game, with three points for a win, one point for a draw, etc. As current leaders by a point it gives Juve an advantage as a win or a draw would be enough and means it’s a straight win the game win the league contest for the Aquile.
2. European spots I would allocate to the current top six as if the season had finished today. Verona and Parma are still in the race and have a game in hand but even if those games in hand were to be played and they won they would still be a point outside the top six. There’s no way the remaining games are going to be played so just give the spots to the current top six.
3. I would relegate the bottom two of Brescia and SPAL and have a playoff at a later date between Genoa & Lecce as they’re locked on points after 26 games. Much like at the top they were both due to play each other again had the season continued so I would lean towards a one-off game for points which slightly favors Genoa who is just outside of the bottom three and would be a win or be relegated clash for Lecce.

*On the basis that playoffs at a later date aren’t possible, then season to finish with points after 26 games, Scudetto to be awarded to Juve as current number one, current top six all qualify for Europe, current bottom three all relegated*

@BomanPatrik (Lazio)

1. The best would be if they played the rest of the season later, and as it seems other leagues will do as the Italians it can eventually be a reality since if other leagues will postpone parts of the season it can force UEFA to move the EURO2020 to 2021 If that’s not possible, I would agree on no Scudetto winner,
2. The UEFA spots as the table was on the day it was canceled, and
3. Brescia and SPAL to be relegated, with a short play-off between positions 15th-18th.

@VittorioCampa (Lazio)

1. I don’t like the idea of a play-off, especially this year. Atalanta is 14 points behind Lazio – why should they be involved in the fight for the Scudetto? Inter have lost against both Lazio and Juve, and are now 8 points behind with a match on hand. If there should be a way it should be a final between Lazio and Juventus. I know Inter could recover but in the last three months, Lazio have gained something like 10 points on Inter and the form arrow for the Nerazzurri is pointing down.
2. The Champions League would be the most complicated because there are a lot of team involved in the fight but I feel that at this moment Napoli shouldn’t be part of the equation; so again it should be a match between Atalanta and Roma. For the UEFA Europe League it would be different one position should be assign to the loser of Atalanta-Roma final and the other two should be given to the two finalists of the playoff between Napoli, Milan, Hellas Verona, and Parma.
3. Spal and Brescia should be relegated while a play-off should be held for the last position. Teams involved should be Lecce Genoa, Samporia and Torino

@JMancini8 (Lazio)

1. The best scenario if they don’t continue playing this season is to not assign the Scudetto to anyone and basically it will season with no winner. There has been discussions of possibly playing a play-off which i would be excited about but it wouldn’t be the same feeling. They should have a playoff to decide the fourth spot for the UEFA Champions League and the two spots for the UEFA Europa League for how close it is in the standings.
2. As I mentioned, a play-off format would be the best scenario if the season is not to progress this season. There needs to be clarity as to who will be in UEFA Europa League and UEFA Champions League next year. A playoff between Atalanta, Roma and Milan for fourth place, and you could teams such as Parma, Napoli and other teams close in contention to play for the UEFA Europa League spots.
3. A play-off format between Lecce, Genoa,Torino and Sampdoria as they are near the last spot for relegation. SPAL and Brescia look to be on their way to being relegated so these teams should play to see who will go to serie b next season.

@SabriB10 (Milan)

1. I don’t think the Scudetto should be awarded since Juventus, Lazio, and Inter have been in close contention all season.
2. For Champions League spots, I think Juve, Lazio, and Inter should be awarded one each since they’ve been in those positions pretty much all season. I’d like to see some sort of play-off for the last Champions League spot and the two Europa League spots, with current table position giving the appropriate seeding to the team that’s in it. The teams ‘playing-off’ to be the ones currently in 4th-9th.
3. For relegation, similar to the above, with 14th-20th playing-off. And hoping everything gets cleared up, to play the rest of the Coppa Italia at the beginning of August.

@MaaxiAngelo (Milan)

1. Personally, I think the Scudetto should get awarded as it did in the 1960s when Inter and Bologna both finished the season with 54 points; a final between Lazio and Juventus on neutral ground to decide who takes home the league. Inter is too far off for it to be fair for them to be involved in a play-off situation, but Juventus and Lazio are within one point from each other and have the same amount of games played. 
2. The Europa League and Champions League spots I think should be decided from the table before the league was suspended. I.e. Juventus, Lazio, Inter and Atalanta. All four teams mentioned are well clear in the race for Champions League spots, with Atalanta three points before Roma in fifth – with one game in hand – which could take them six points clear. And for the Europa League spots to Roma and Napoli. So, easily put, assign the Europa spots for the current top six. 
3. Relegate Brescia and SPAL directly, and let Lecce and Genoa – who are on 25 points each for the play-off relegation with the same amounts of games – play a similar game as the title decider mentioned in point one.

@R_Kharman (Milan)

1. Most European leagues seems to be going the way of assigning no champion for three leagues and essentially calling it a void season. While I’m not against that, it’s unfair to the players as they played 2/3 of the season. I say if it has to be shut down for good, then award title to Juventus as they are currently in first. Sucks for Lazio and Immobile on his quest to break the record, but it’s a fair outcome in my opinion.
2. I’m forgiving the teams currently in the champions league and Europa league positions those spots. They’re the six best teams in the league and clearly ahead of Parma, Milan, Hellas and the rest. So Juventus, Lazio, Inter and Atalanta are top four and Roma/Napoli to Europa League.
3. I like the idea of taking the bottom three in Serie A and put them in a playoff with top 3 of Serie B for the right to be in the top league. Or I also like what was proposed in Germany with taking the top 3 teams of Serie B and expanding the number of teams in Serie A for next season. How that would work with relegation the following year would be difficult, I admit.

@MilanWeeklyPOD (Milan)

1. My first reaction to all the news was the Scudetto would have to stay vacant as the World Series did due to the lockout. Then via social media, I started to see mention of a possible playoff! It took me by surprise for a couple of minutes. Then I saw a potential bracket and I had this euphoria of a possible combination of Serie A and a March Madness elite eight or sweet 16 style playoff. Including all the upsets and last-minute winners, shoot out drama, etc.  
2. To make it even more entertaining, this tournament style playoff would not only determine the Scudetto but also the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League spots, giving all the teams involved something to play for till the end. This would be a great way to suck in some North American fans as well.  
3. Relegation is a little more tricky because of what the Serie A teams have to lose and what the Serie B teams have to gain. Nevertheless, I would combine “x” teams from Serie A and “x” teams from Serie B and make them slug it out. In both cases above, this would be must-see tv. It would also make people forget the past couple of months very quickly; it would be important for Italy as a nation, especially because the Euro will be postponed until 2021.   

*Unfortunately, it has to be said, this will also be a great marketing opportunity for Calcio and Serie A that they can not let slip through the cracks, to try and repair the damage they caused this year.*

@RaffaNapoli83 (Napoli)

1. Juve-Lazio plays their return. Because Juve has one point over Lazio, make it so that if Juve wins or draw, Juve, win the title. If Lazio wins, Lazio is crowned champions.
2. On the same day, have Verona-Parma play their postponed return. If that’s a draw, we have a three-way tie for 7th. Midweek, have the Coppa Italia semis second leg (Juve-Milan and Napoli-Inter). If Milan advance to the finals, they get the Europa league spot, since Napoli and Inter will have already qualified for European play. IF Juve eliminates Milan, AND 7th is a three-way tie, have Milan play their scheduled return vs Parma on the next weekend and 7th is determined in a mini-league tiebreak between the 3 teams. On that day, have the Coppa Italia Final. Juve Lazio Atalanta and Inter are in Champions League, Roma and Napoli are in Europa League. This can be done inside a week. And it’s fair.
3. Genoa and Lecce are tied on points for 17th and 18th. Have them play their 04/26 scheduled return this week. Lecce-Genoa ended 2-2 so use that as an aggregate first leg score and if the match ends less than a 0-0 or 1-1 draw, Genoa is safe. 2-2 goes to penalties where the loser is relegated.

@Kubani7 (Napoli)

*In all honesty, I don’t think any decisions should be made yet until we know more about what is really going on. Far too many variables still & UEFA needs to start making moves. In the short term, I believe every competition needs to be suspended until further notice. Ideally, EURO 2020 will be postponed until next year and domestic leagues can decide what they want to do following that move.*

@SsciavilloCdT (Roma)

1. I don’t necessarily like the idea of a four-team scudetto playoff because at this point it has really turned into a two-horse race. If a playoff is used without any other games being played it should really be a two-legged affair between Lazio and Juve (I cringe saying that as a Roma fan but I think considering the table it’s the fairest solution).
2. If the season isn’t able to be played out I’d be fine with the Champions League and Europa League spots being assigned as are because the top six really have been the best six for the most part. As much as I hate to say it, Roma really has no claim to a Champions League spot if they are assigned considering they lost both matches to Atalanta already. The top four is pretty clear and Roma and Napoli have a fair claim to 5th and 6th for Europa League.
3. In terms of relegation at minimum, there should be a play out between Genoa and Lecce since they are tied on the table. But again that’s the last resort if play can’t be resumed at all.

*I don’t necessarily like assigning any of these things if it can be avoided. If the situation improves and play can recommence my preference would be to see the season played out to have these things determined on the pitch. Of course, that would also likely need UEFA to suspend the Euros, so it may not be possible.*

@VitoCDoria (Sampdoria)

1. It should be left unassigned if the Serie A teams cannot complete all the fixtures. It would be a hollow feeling to win the Scudetto without playing the full quota.
2. If they cannot complete the season, then they can rely on the table as it stands. I don’t they should bother with hypothetical tables in this case.
3. Same as #2. Relegation spots should be based on how the table currently stands. Speaking in general, I wouldn’t waste time with play-offs and play-outs.