Napoli have claimed their first league title in 33 years after drawing 1-1 away at Udinese following a Victor Oshimen equaliser.
The title was an inevitability for months with Luciano Spalletti’s side completely dominating Serie A, but they’ve now finally clinched their third domestic crown with five games to spare.
In the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium the were epic scenes of celebration.
Fans lit off flares in the streets of Naples as they celebrated their title win.
Indeed, it sparked chaotic scenes in Naples.
The streets were filled with people sporting Maradona wigs.
Traffic came to a standstill.
People danced with joy on roofs of blocked buses, while fake funerals were held for hated rivals Juventus.
Napoli had their first match point at home to Salernitana last time out, but drew 1-1, meaning they needed just a point from Udinese.
Thanks to star striker Victor Osimhen, they managed just that, with the Nigerian equalising in the second period by smashing the ball home for his league-best 22nd goal of the season.
The ever-expanding away end at the Dacia Arena instantly erupted, with smoke bombs filling the stadium as Osimhen ripped off his trademark mask in iconic scenes.
And back in Naples, the 52nd minute strike was greeted with fireworks on the streets with fans realising the dream of a generation.
Napoli haven’t won a league title since 1990, when Diego Maradona captured his and the club’s second of a legendary career.
And in their stadium that now bears his name, fans had packed out the 54,726-seater to see the trophy come back down south for only the third time.
The city had long been gearing up for glory of hosting the league trophy after several decades.
Napoli now have 80 points, and while they are unable to reach the incredible record for points in a season set by Juventus with 102 back in 2014, they can still eclipse their own club high-water mark of 91 from back in 2018.
Their first scudetto saw Maradona shine bright as they beat Juventus to the league title by three points.
Three years later, and after consecutive second-place finishes, Napoli lifted the scudetto for a second time with five straight wins to end their 1989/90 campaign.
Napoli have one of the largest and most passionate fan bases in Italy, but trophies have been hard to come by since the club was formed in 1926.
The club’s most successful spell was authored by Argentine legend Diego Maradona in the late 1980s and early 1990s, but the club subsequently fell on hard financial times.
It’s on sound footing today, and has successfully recruited top coaches and players.
The 2022/23 team is led by manager Luciano Spalletti and Serie A top scorer Victor Osimhen, who is one of the most coveted forwards in the sport.
Recent signing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has also taken Serie A by storm with the 22-year-old Georgian already earning the nickname ‘Kvara-dona’’ from the Napoli faithful.
Goal/The Sporting News/Maxwell Oyekunle
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