Game week 33 featured two sides who, based on recent records, are apart from each other in terms of head to head results, class, points and pedigree. Udinese, the home side definitely came into this match as the underdogs, with many expecting Napoli, who have been high flying this season to finish what their fans were expecting them to finish at Naples in their last match against Salernitana.
Siting currently at first position in the Serie A, with clearly intimidating points, Napoli are expected to be confirmed as champions of the Italian league today if they can just get a point in this game against Udinese.This is probably not a big deal for the current league leaders but you know complacency can be a problem. Also, you never know what football has in store for us. There are normally surprises at the corner.
The game against Salernitana on Sunday, 30th April, 2023 was definitely a party spoiler, as Napoli were anticipating victory in front of their home fans, who had made a lot of preparation for the predicted victory. Everything was going according to the script when Napoli took the lead and it seemed like it was going to end that way. However, an injury time equalizer by Boulaye Dia brought the game to a stalemate once again, preventing Napoli from being confirmed as winners of the Scudetto since 1990.
As the whistle was blown, Napoli started on the front foot but it took Udinese’s Sandi Lovric only 13 minutes to get on the score sheet, with an assist from Udogie. At this point, eye brows were raised and everyone was already wondering whether there will be further postponement of the party for Napoli. The away side kept dominating the possession but it was the Home side that drew first blood.
At the half time break, it is expected that Spaletti, the Napoli coach would give the right team talk in order to put his team back into the proper mindset and other words, the game. I guess it worked because in the 52nd minute, the Nigerian striker and the highest goal scorer in the Italian Serie A, Victor Osimhen got the needed equalizer for SSC Napoli. In order not to repeat the mistake in their last match, Spaletti made a few tactical changes in order to preserve the result, as they needed only a draw to be crowned champions.Finally!!! They did it, as the game ended 1 - 1.
After 33 years of waiting, Napoli are now Champions. Maradona would be really proud.
current serie A league tableNapoli is a professional football club based in Naples, Italy. The team has a rich history and is known for its passionate fans and iconic players, none more so than Diego Maradona.
Past historic moments for Napoli
In 1987, Napoli won the Italian Cup with Maradona as their star player. It was a historic moment for the club and for Italian football as a whole.
The road to the final was not an easy one. Napoli faced tough opposition in every round, including Roma and Juventus. However, with Maradona at the helm, the team was able to overcome all obstacles.
In the final, Napoli faced Atalanta. The match was played at the San Siro stadium in Milan, and it was a tense and closely fought contest. Atalanta took an early lead through a goal from Marco Schenardi, but Napoli was not deterred.
With Maradona pulling the strings in midfield, Napoli began to dominate the game. They equalized in the 28th minute through a goal from Fernando De Napoli. The score remained 1-1 until the end of normal time, and the match went into extra time.
It was in the second half of extra time that Maradona made the difference. He picked up the ball in midfield and went on a mesmerizing run, beating several Atalanta defenders before slotting the ball into the net. It was a moment of magic from one of the greatest footballers of all time.
Napoli held on for the remaining minutes of the match to claim a 2-1 victory and lift the Italian Cup. It was a moment of joy for the players, the fans, and the entire city of Naples.
Maradona's contribution to Napoli's success cannot be overstated. He was the driving force behind the team's rise to prominence in the late 1980s, and his skill, passion, and charisma made him a hero to the Napoli faithful.
The Italian Cup triumph of 1987 will always be remembered as a defining moment in Napoli's history, and it will forever be associated with the genius of Diego Maradona.
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