- Napoli entered Thursday’s match needing a point to be crowned champions
- They fëll behind early on tø a goal from Udinese midfielder Sandi Lovric
- Victor Osimhen scøred the gøal tø wrap up the title for Luciano Spalletti’s men
Napoli have been crøwned Serie A champions for the first time in 33 years after earning a 1-1 draw against Udinese on Thursday.
The runaway leæders were unable to wrap up the title on Súnday after drawing at home to Salernitana, and their celebrations looked sét to be put on hold once more when they fell behind in the 13th minute to a gøal from Udinese midfielder Sandi Lovric.
Luciano Spalletti’s men hit back shortly after half-time, though, withVictor Osimhen netting the equaliser. Neither side could fiñd a winner, but that didn’t matter for Nāpoli as they gained the point they needed to end their long wait for the Scudetto.
Napoli became just the third Serie A side ever to be crowned champions with five games to spare – after Inter Milan in 2007/08 and Juventus in 2018/19 – as they ended a 33-year wait for a title on Thursday night. Courtesy of a 15-point gap to Lazio in second, Napoli needed just a point away at Udinese and despite trailing for 39 minutes, Victor Osimhen’s equaliser in the second half was enough for a 1-1 draw and glory which sparked manic scenes in both Udine and Naples.
Osimhen was on hand to fire home from inside the box after Khvicha Kvaratskhelia saw a shot saved early in the second half. That cancelled out Sandi Lovric’s stunner to spark a massive title party.
Osimhen has now scored more Serie A goals this season than any African player ever. Samuel Eto’o previously held the record with Inter after scoring 21 times in the 2010-11 season but Osimhen has now bettered that. The Nigerian is up to 22 for the year.
It is just the third time in the club’s history that Napoli have won the Serie A title and they have done so for the first time since club legend Diego Maradona led them to titles in 1987 and 1990. Spalletti’s side had the chance to clinch the title at home with a win against Salernitana last Saturday.
Celebrations after Mathias Olivera’s opener were cut short when the visitors equalised six minutes from time with Frenchman Boulaye Dia’s goal spoiling the party. Despite that draw, coach Luciano Spalletti spoke about how much the league title means to fans after a long wait.
Napoli have been helped towards the title by 24-year-old striker Osimhen who has Premier League clubs Chelsea and Manchester United fighting for his signature in the coming months.
The 24-year-old has scored 26 goals in 30 games in all competitions this season and Napoli could demand £120million for any clubs to bring him to England in the summer.
After working his way into the Ultimate Strikers Academy in his home country of Nigeria it was during the FIFA under-17 World Cup that Osimhen attracted the focus of European teams. Osimhen is considered as a complete No 9 due to his technical ability, strength in the air, sharpness and athletic physique.
