Global Courant 2023-05-05 01:58:31
Napoli has a 16-point lead in Serie A
Napoli won their first Serie A title in 33 years when they drew with Udinese at the Dacia Arena to unleash jubilant celebrations in Naples.
They last won the league in 1990 with a Diego Maradona-inspired side who contributed to their first title three years earlier.
Victor Osimhen equalized in the 52nd minute after Sandi Lovric gave Udinese a surprising lead.
And Napoli kept the point they needed to win their third Serie A title with five games to spare.
Napoli ends three decades of pain
Napoli’s previous two titles came in the days of Argentine legend Maradona – after whom their stadium is now named – in 1987 and 1990.
After those glory days, the club fell into financial decline, relegation and bankruptcy; playing in Serie C since 2006.
They have won the Coppa Italia three times in the last 11 seasons, but it is the Scudetto that Napoli fans have craved.
They now have a new cast of superstars, with Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen scoring 21 goals in 26 league appearances and Georgia wing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia contributing 12 goals and 10 assists.
At 64, boss Luciano Spalletti, who won the Coppa Italia twice with Roma, becomes the oldest manager to win Serie A.
His team had a chance to clinch the title last weekend with six games remaining, but could only draw with local rivals Salernitana.
But with a 16-point lead over second-placed Lazio, their third Serie A title is now confirmed.
Osimhen leveler makes for wild parties
Their match with Udinese was almost an afterthought. Napoli fans were partying all day in Naples before filling the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona to watch a stream of the match.
More than 10,000 fans traveled north to see their side at Udine, but were stunned after 13 minutes as Lovric gained acres of space in the penalty area before curling the hosts forward.
Napoli struggled in the first half but got the goal they needed after the restart with Osimhen finding the corner after Kvaratskhelia forced a good save from Udinese keeper Marco Silvestri.
And after Napoli took the lead, he controlled the game superbly and kept his opponents at bay.
At the full-time whistle, Napoli fans rushed onto the pitch and festivities began in both Udine and Naples.
Setups
Udinese
Formation 3-5-1-1
1Silvestri
50Nascimento France29Bijol18Perez
19Ehizibue24Samardzic11Susan Silva4Lovric13Udogie
37Pereyra
30Nestorovsky
1Silvestri50Nascimento France29Bijol18Perez19EhizibueBooked at 5 minSubstituted forEboselebee 82′minutes24SamardzicSubstituted forThauvinbee 82′minutes11Susan Silva4LovricSubstituted forArslanbee 78′minutes13UdogieSubstituted forSeagullbee 74′minutes37Pereyra30Nestorovsky
Substitutes
2Ebosele3Mass5Arslan8Seagull14Abankwa15Ulineia Buta20Padelli26Thauvin39Semedo Moura Sousa67Guess and99Piana
Naples
Formation 4-3-3
1Meret
22Di Lorenzo13Rrahmani3Kim Min Jae17Olivera
99Zambo Angussa68Lobotka91Ndombele
7Elmas9Osimhen77Kvaratskhelia
1Meret22Di Lorenzo13Rrahmani3Kim Min Jae17Olivera99Zambo Angussa68Lobotka91NdombeleSubstituted forZielinskibee 64′minutes7Elmas9Osimhen77KvaratskheliaSubstituted forLozanobee 86′minutes
Substitutes
4Dem5Nunes Jesus11Lozano12marfella18Simeone19Bereszynski20Zielinski23Zerbin31Zedadka55Østigard70Gaetano81Raspadori95Gollini
Live text
Match ends, Udinese 1, Napoli 1.
Second Half ends, Udinese 1, Napoli 1.
Delay over. They are ready to move on.
Delay in match because of an injury Marco Silvestri (Udinese).
Corner, Naples. Conceded by Rodrigo Becao.
Victor Osimhen (Napoli) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Nehuen Perez (Udinese).
Replacement, Naples. Hirving Lozano replaces Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
Replacement, Udinese. Florian Thauvin replaces Lazar Samardzic.
Replacement, Udinese. Festy Ebosele replaces Kingsley Ehizibue due to an injury.
Delay over. They are ready to move on.
Delay in match because of an injury Kingsley Ehizibue (Udinese).
Replacement, Udinese. Tolgay Arslan replaces Sandi Lovric.
Eljif Elmas (Napoli) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Ilija Nestorovski (Udinese).
Stanislav Lobotka (Napoli) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Kingsley Ehizibue (Udinese).
Replacement, Udinese. Marvin Zeegelaar replaces Destiny Udogie due to an injury.
Offside, Udinese. Rodrigo Becão tries a through ball, but Ilija Nestorovski is offside.
Delay over. They are ready to move on.
