Despite the regular custom of having a Serie A break on Easter Sunday, there will be three league matches taking place today, beginning with Empoli-Venezia, ending with Milan-Atalanta, with Bologna-Inter squeezed in between.

Here is why there are matches being played on Easter Sunday despite usual traditions.

Why there are three Serie A matches on Easter Sunday

Effectively, it comes down to a scheduling issue that impacts Inter more than any other side.

The Nerazzurri are still involved in the Coppa Italia and Champions League, which means that their next three midweek slots are already filled up.

The Nerazzurri will take on Milan in the second leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final this coming Wednesday, then two legs against Barcelona in the Champions League semis in the following two midweek slots.

Given that Inter played the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich on the Wednesday just gone, Inter’s game against Bologna was scheduled for Sunday, rather than Saturday.

Milan, meanwhile, will also be involved in Coppa Italia semi-final action on Wednesday (against Inter), as will Empoli and Bologna on Thursday, which means that their Serie A matches have also been scheduled for Sunday to allow for adequate rest and recovery time.

This will be the first time that Serie A action has been played on Easter Sunday since 2009 and the first Easter Sunday with multiple league matches taking place since 1978.