Napoli ended their 33-year wait for the Serie A title by securing victory on Thursday with a 1-1 draw against Udinese, equaling the record of five games left to play…
The team’s success compares to that of the legendary Diego Maradona, who led Napoli to win the league in 1987 and 1990. Fans celebrated wildly in Udine, at the Stadio Maradona in Naples, and throughout the biggest city in southern Italy.
Napoli fans join Napoli’s Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen (C) as he celebrates after the Italian Serie A football match between Udinese and Napoli on May 4, 2023.
Napoli claimed the title with a draw against Udinese after dominating the season under the guidance of their coach, Luciano Spalletti. The team’s supporters invaded the pitch at the Dacia Arena to celebrate, causing tension with the home fans who were unhappy with the open partying on their ground. Napoli’s current stars, including the captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo, lifted the Scudetto, emulating the success of Maradona’s teams.
Spalletti and his team will receive a warm welcome when they return to Naples, where the partying is set to continue until at least their next home fixture against Fiorentina on Sunday evening. Spalletti was moved to tears by the joy of the Neapolitans, saying, “Seeing Neapolitans happy is enough to give you a sense of that joy they are feeling… You feel a bit more relaxed knowing that you’ve given them this moment of happiness.”
Victor Osimhen scored the decisive goal to take Napoli over the line, with his 22nd in 28 league appearances. His goal caused bedlam among the massed ranks of away fans who took over Udine. In the opening period, Napoli looked worryingly bereft of ideas in the final third, and Udinese took advantage, with Sandi Lovric placing a lovely shot in the top corner to give the home side the lead. However, in the 52nd minute, Osimhen stepped up and unleashed a wave of relief and blue smoke from the stands with his 27th goal in all competitions, ramming home the leveler when Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s low shot was blocked and fell to the clinical striker.
Fans chanted victory songs in Udine while flares billowed and fireworks were set off at the other end of the country. While fans had to be cleared from the pitch in Udine to avoid clashes with home supporters, the Stadio Maradona was lit up by phones held by teary-eyed Neapolitans singing along to songs by the late local singer-songwriter Pino Daniele.
