Napoli drew with Udinese to take a 16-point lead in Serie A and clinch the league championship for the first time since 1990. The players and supporters erupted in joy as they dedicated the historic victory to the legendary Argentine Diego Maradona.
Napoli drew with Udinese on Thursday night to take an unassailable 16-point lead at the summit of Serie A and clinch the league title for the first time since 1990. Luciano Spalletti and his squad are the first Italian champions since Diego Maradona’s squad 33 years ago. This is only the third league championship in Gli Azzurri’s history.
After Thursday’s 1-1 draw with Udinese, Napoli fans rushed the pitch to commemorate their team’s Serie A triumph. Victor Osimhen’s equaliser in the second half secured Napoli’s first Scudetto championship in 33 years.
As soon as the game ended, fans rushed onto the field to celebrate with their champions, enveloping Osimhen, manager Luciano Spalletti, and the rest of the team.
Incredible situations were also witnessed at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium in Naples, which was packed with fans cheering for their team. Flares that illuminated the stadium created an extraordinary atmosphere even though the game was being played hundreds of miles away.
In the meantime, more fans flocked to the streets of Naples to celebrate their team’s historic victory. The last time Napoli won the league was in 1989–90, when Diego Maradona was the driving force. As a result, many fans will never have seen their team win the league. Maradona was also essential to Napoli’s 1986–1987 Scudetto victory.
Ed Llewelleyn, the British ambassador to Italy, tweeted his congratulations to Napoli along with a video of pyrotechnics going off in the city, writing: “Just sent to me by a friend in Naples after Napoli won the Serie A title for the first time in 33 years. Congratulations, Napoli! I believe it is safe to state that the festivities have begun…”
After celebrating with their fans on the field in Udine, Napoli’s players retreated to the locker room to celebrate their victory. Osimhen wrapped a scarf around his head and joined his teammates in singing as they continued to celebrate with delight.
As the players jumped up and down, winger Hirving Lozano was seen standing on a table, demonstrating the tremendous sense of team unity that Spalletti has ingrained in the team this season.
With only three league defeats through 33 games, Napoli has been the team to capture since the beginning of the season.
On Sunday, their fans expected them to win the championship, but a goal from Salernitana halted their celebrations.
Now that their time has arrived, the evening in Naples is expected to be beautiful, with players and fans celebrating until the wee hours.