After a 33-year wait, Napoli is finally champion of Italy once again.
Napoli missed a chance to celebrate the Scudetto at home against Salernitana on Sunday after it conceded an 84th-minute equalizer, but it didn’t have to wait long after a draw with Udinese on Thursday.
Before this season, Napoli’s only two titles came behind the star power of Diego Maradona in 1986-87 and ’89-90. This year was much more of a concerted team effort, led by manager Luciano Spalletti.
Despite watching key starters like Lorenzo Insigne, Kalidou Koulibaly, Fabián Ruiz and Dries Mertens leave over the summer, Napoli made several shrewd, under-the-radar signings. South Korean international Kim Min-jae and former Fulham midfielder André-Frank Zambo Anguissa reshaped the team into an organized defensive unit, but no addition proved to be more pivotal than Georgian star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
Napoli bought the relatively unknown winger for just €10 million ($11 million) and watched as the 22-year-old developed into a global sensation with 12 goals and 10 assists in league play. Meanwhile, Victor Osimhen put together his first 20-goal season to lead Serie A in scoring and give Napoli a dynamic one-two punch up top.
The result was a 15-match unbeaten streak to start the Serie A season while reigning champion AC Milan faltered and powerhouse Juventus suffered under the weight of a financial scandal. From there, Napoli lost only three matches before clinching its title with five games remaining.
However, the trophies will end there. The club fell short in the Coppa Italia in the round of 16 to Cremonese and squandered a favorable Champions League draw by bowing out to AC Milan in the quarterfinals. Yet there will be plenty of reason to celebrate in the streets of Naples with the club’s third Scudetto.
