Napoli end 33-year wait for Serie A glory

IMAGO / LaPresse

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After greater than three many years with no Serie A title, Napoli lastly secured the scudetto because of a 1-1 draw with Udinese on Thursday night.

The draw noticed them transfer onto 80 factors on the summit of the desk – 16 factors away from second-placed Lazio – that means they’ve an unassailable lead with 5 video games remaining.

The membership’s final Serie A triumph got here all the way in which again in 1989-90, when the legendary Diego Maradona helped Napoli win the title on the expense of Marco van Basten’s AC Milan and Roberto Baggio’s Fiorentina.

33 years later, the title is again in Naples because of the present crop of superstars. So, how did they do it?

Briefly, Napoli have been sensational this season. Led by supervisor Luciano Spalletti, Gli Azzurri have misplaced simply three of their 33 league video games, selecting up 25 wins and 5 attracts alongside the way in which.

Not solely are Napoli the highest scorers in Serie A, however in addition they boast the perfect defensive file within the division. Spalletti’s males have netted 69 targets (2.09 targets per recreation) whereas conceding simply 23 (0.69 targets in opposition to per recreation).

It has been an actual workforce effort from Napoli, from goalkeeper Alex Meret and centre-back Kim Min-jae to midfielders equivalent to Stanislav Lobotka, Piotr Zielinksi and Frank Anguissa.

That stated, two gamers have constantly stood out from the gang all through the title-winning marketing campaign – Victor Osimhem and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

Osimhem has spearheaded Napoli’s assault this time period, scoring 27 targets in 34 video games throughout all competitions, together with 22 targets in 27 Serie A appearances.

In the meantime, Kvaratskhelia has been the driving drive behind the workforce’s creativity, racking up 14 targets and 16 assists in all competitions, together with 12 targets and 12 assists in 29 league outings.

Napoli kicked off their 2022-23 Serie A marketing campaign with a mammoth 15-game unbeaten streak, which additionally produced 11 consecutive wins. In January, Inter Milan turned the primary workforce to beat Napoli this season.

After shedding to Inter, Spalletti’s males chalked up an eight-game successful run earlier than falling to Lazio. Though Gli Azzurri have stuttered in current weeks – drawing three of their final 4 matches – they will now name themselves champions of Italy.

Napoli’s Champions League journey ended on the quarter-final stage as Serie A rivals AC Milan notched a 2-1 combination victory final month. Nevertheless, Spalletti’s aspect received’t be eager about that proper now.

On the finish of the day, Napoli have loved an exceptional marketing campaign and totally need to be Serie A champions. Hopefully, the residents of the football-mad metropolis received’t have to attend one other 33 years for the subsequent scudetto.