The Serie A clash between Inter and Roma, originally set for Saturday, April 26, 2025, has been postponed due to the national mourning period following the death of Pope Francis. The Vatican has scheduled the Pope's funeral for the same day at 10 AM in Piazza San Pietro, leading to the suspension of all sporting events in Italy on that date. This decision affects not only the anticipated match at San Siro but also two other fixtures: Como-Genoa and Lazio-Parma.
As the league grapples with rescheduling these matches, the focus turns to the implications of the Inter-Roma game, which holds significant weight in both the Scudetto race and the battle for European qualification. Inter, managed by Simone Inzaghi, currently leads the Serie A standings, while Roma, under the guidance of Claudio Ranieri, is vying for a spot in the Europa League.
According to Nello Musumeci, Italy's Minister for Civil Protection, the Serie A matches will be suspended on Saturday, but fixtures can resume on Sunday. This opens the door for the possibility of moving Inter-Roma to Sunday, April 27, with a potential kickoff time of 12:30 PM. This adjustment would provide Inter with a small window to recover before their crucial Champions League semi-final first leg against Barcelona on April 30.
The league's decision comes in light of a government decree that declared five days of national mourning, beginning on April 22, following the Pope's passing on April 21. The Serie A fixtures that were initially scheduled for April 26 included Como-Genoa at 3 PM, Inter-Roma at 6 PM, and Lazio-Parma as the evening match. With the league needing to find new dates for these matches, the challenge is compounded by Inter's already packed schedule.
Inter's upcoming fixtures include a critical Coppa Italia semi-final return leg against Milan on April 23, where they will look to build on a 1-1 draw from the first leg. If they advance, they would face either Bologna or Empoli in the final on May 14. Subsequently, Inter will take on Barcelona in the Champions League semi-finals, with the first leg in Spain on April 30 and the return leg at San Siro on May 6.
In light of these commitments, the potential rescheduling of Inter-Roma to Sunday would allow the team to avoid further congestion in their already demanding calendar. The suggestion for a 12:30 PM kickoff provides a brief respite before their European challenge. The Serie A fixtures on Sunday, April 27, are also set to include Venezia-Milan at 12:30 PM, Fiorentina-Empoli at 3 PM, Juventus-Monza at 6 PM, and Napoli-Torino at 8:45 PM.
The outcome of the Inter-Roma match is crucial, not only for the title race but also for Roma's aspirations to secure European football for next season. As both teams prepare for this high-stakes encounter, the league's final decision on the rescheduling will be closely monitored by fans and analysts alike.
With the Serie A landscape shifting rapidly due to external circumstances, the league must navigate these challenges while honoring the memory of Pope Francis. The football community stands united in mourning, with many clubs expected to observe a moment of silence during matches in the coming week.
As the situation develops, fans are left eagerly awaiting confirmation of the new date and time for the Inter-Roma match, as well as the outcome of Inter's upcoming fixtures that could define their season.
