Serie A: Salernitana’s late strike delay Napoli, Victor Osimhen’s historic Italian title

By Wale Mustapha

Victor Osimhen and Napoli’s Serie A title celebrations was put on hold till next Matchday after Senegalese Boulaye Dia scored a late equalizer to settle for 1-1 draw on Sunday.

Napoli’s fans were in the mood of ending the 33 years wait of winning the Scudetto at Diego Maradona Stadium with the Salernitana’s visit but Osimhen and his team mates failed to up their games worthy enough to give them that feeling.

It was the Super Eagles’ striker that blew Napoli’s first chance away as he headed wide from close range. His second effort at game was also a header that was weak to beat Salernitana keeper, Guillermo Ochoa.

The visitors continued to frustrate Napoli till end of half time and even went close to take a shocking lead at the early stages of second half.

Napoli gaffer, Luciano Spalletti introduced Elif Elmas and Giacomo Raspadori to tweak his attack and it was the latter who provided the goal for the hosts as his delivery from a corner was headed home by Mathías Olivera sparking a scene of wild jubilation that had been 33 years in the making.

As Napoli fans and the bench were gearing up for the party, Salernitana and of course Dia had other plans as he drove inside from the right flank to send an unstoppable strike past goalkeeper Alex Meret.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia went close to score the late winner but his curling effort was expertly dealt with by Ochoa.

While Salernitana end the day seven points clear of the drop, Napoli will have the chance to end their 33-year wait when they face Udinese on Thursday.