By Victor Kanayo
Low-rated Serie A side, Salernitana on Sunday April 30, 2023 held title-bound Napoli to 1-1 draw amidst expectations that the Naples will seal their title race on the matchday in Italy.
It was a tricky tie attended by thousands of Napoli fans who turned out to celebrate, but were lately disappointed.
How the match panned out
Throughout the encounter, the club’s hitman Victor Osimhen failed to find the back of the net.
Instead, it was Mathias Olivera’s header that gave Napoli a glimpse of hope.
But Salernitana forward Boulaye Dia cancelled it out towards the end of the game.
Glory ahead still beckons
In any case, the coming midweek round of matches could finally end Napoli’s long wait for glory.
Luciano Spalletti’s team are 18 points ahead of Lazio, but Juventus can close that gap to 17 by winning at Bologna and move into second place.
Depending on how that match between Juve and Lazio’s games on Wednesday go, Napoli could be crowned champions before they take the field at Udinese on Thursday night.
A win in Udinese will ensure Napoli’s current stars emulate Diego Maradona, who led southern Italy’s biggest club to their only previous league titles in 1987 and 1990.
Juventus were the most recent side to become Serie A champions with five games left (2018-19), joining Inter, Fiorentina and Torino in that exclusive club.
