Napoli finally claimed their first Serie A title since 1990 after drawing with Udinese and securing a 16-point lead at the summit of the table. For the third time in the club’s history and after a 33-year wait, Luciano Spalletti and his team became the newest kings of Italy, following in the footsteps of the legendary Diego Maradona. Although fans would have preferred Napoli to seal the title against Salernitana on home soil at the renamed San Paolo Stadium, now the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, they are undoubtedly rejoicing now. The victory drew from top scorer Victor Osimhen to ensure the trophy belonged to Napoli. With a 15-game unbeaten run at the start of the season and a further streak of 10 wins from 11 after the New Year, Napoli emerged as one of the most enthralling teams to watch around Europe. Thus they were able to succeed AC Milan as champions.
Spalletti’s incredible achievement was all the more impressive, considering the overhaul of the squad in the summer. Some club icons such as Kalidou Koulibaly, Dries MerteNs, Lorenzo Insigne and Fabian Ruiz had departed. Fortunately, new and promising faces like Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, center-back Kim Min-jae and central midfielder Frank Anguissa took charge. Striker Osimhen also shone with 22 goals in the league, drawing the attention of some of Europe’s top clubs, who are reportedly willing to pay a high fee to lure him away from Serie A next season.
Spalletti’s magical run also granted him his first Serie A title as a coach, having won the league twice in Russia with Zenit over a decade ago. Prior to this, he only celebrated two Coppa Italia wins with Roma in 2007 and 2008. Napoli also reached the Champions League quarter-finals this season, although they were surprisingly defeated by Milan over two legs, paving the way for a Milan derby in the semi-finals, with Inter Milan also qualifying for the final four by beating Benfica.
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