When everything was ready for a massive party with its epicenter in the South of Italy but aftershocks in various cities around the world, when the game was headed for the victory of the absolute leader of Serie A, when Diego Maradona smiled from heaven, a tremendous goal of the
Salernitana
caused the discomfort of
Napoli
, who with the 1-1 had to postpone the celebration of the third 'Scudetto' in its history.
The long wait of 33 years will have to be extended a few more days.
What began as a day of celebration in Naples with Inter's victory against Lazio thanks to a brace from Argentine
Lautaro Martínez
that enabled the scores and which continued with a goal from Uruguayan
Mathias Olivera
, turned into a cold, scruffy afternoon because of
Boulaye Dia
, which will not change the outcome for those led by Luciano Spalletti, but it does force him to wait until at least Wednesday.
That day,
Lazio
will have to beat
Sassuolo
at home, since any other result will make Napoli celebrate from a distance.
The Neapolitans will play on Thursday as visitors to Udinese, in what will be their second
match point
.
The start of the game lived up to what was expected in Naples.
With a full Diego Armando Maradona stadium, who was looking forward to victory, Napoli came out without speculating, as always during the season, but this time with contagious energy, in keeping with the general atmosphere in a city dedicated to their team.
The Nigerian
Victor Osimhen
was the main danger for Spalletti's men.
And it is that the striker had to fight with up to three defenders who tried to stop him, but who could not prevent him from finishing off Lozano's precise crosses on the right wing, in what was the main resource of the locals and the fastest route in the First half.
The problem of Napoli, owner and lord of the party, was under the sticks of Salernitana.
And it is that the Mexican
'Memo' Ochoa
was again key for his team, in the umpteenth demonstration since he arrived in January that he is the architect of permanence in the highest category and a positive streak of eight games, like never before in the history.
Photo: Andreas SOLARO / AFP.
The overwhelming control of the locals, eager to unblock the game of their lives, led to a second half that followed the same script as the first, in an absolute dominance that did not seem to undermine the confidence of the stands devoted to their team.
A shot from the ground by Anguissa and a Chilean from Zielinski encouraged the rhythm of the game, casting doubt on a solid defense of Salernitana who fully intended to delay as long as possible an inevitable party in Naples.
But it was only a matter of time.
It was impossible for the Salernitana wall to resist all the push of a city, the push of eleven warriors who went out onto the field with one goal in mind and did not stop until they achieved it in the 62nd minute.
Photo: REUTERS/Yara Nardi
And the protagonist this time was unexpected.
Like any beautiful story with a happy ending, he had his turn and when everyone had bet on Osimhen or Kvaratskhelia, it was Mathías Olivera who scored the goal for everyone.
He was the one who had the honor of delivering the final blow to make history with a header from an unappealable corner, he was the one who took advantage of the opportunity to start after the injury of Mario Rui, who would have been a sure starter if he could have, and who He was one step away from going down in the books.
But glory escaped Napoli's hands when a few minutes from closing, in an almost tragic end of the game.
Because when everyone was celebrating the victory and the championship,
Boulaye Dia
spoiled the party with a left-footed shot straight into the corner, which silenced an entire city.
Spalletti's team tried in every way, even bringing Gio Simeone onto the field in those last minutes, but the Argentine could not beat Ochoa either in the only one he had and that could have given a dream outcome for the country.
It was the frustration of an entire stadium, of an entire city that was soured on the perfect day.
Napoli will celebrate their third Serie A title, that's for sure, but it will have to wait.
Photo: Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP.
With information from EFE
