Naples overjoyed by its first Serie A title since Maradona's era

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
5 May 2023 20:46

The streets of Naples are overtaken by jubilant fans celebrating S.S.C. Napoli's first title in 33 years.

Fans of S.S.C Napoli celebrate winning their first Scudetto in 33 years in Naples, Italy, on 5 May 2023. (Reuters)

Napolitanos carried last night's joyous atmosphere into Friday after their very own S.C.C. Napoli secured their first Serie A title in 33 years following a 1-1 draw against Udinese secured by the club's marksman and top scorer, Victor Osimhen.

The Nigerian player's goal awarded his side their 80th point of the 2022-2023 season which granted the Partenopei the Scudetto with 5 games left to play.

"It was the most beautiful night," exclaimed Francesca Raucci, a resident of Naples who was seen taking her child to school after partying until 4:00 AM in the morning. "It was a unique emotion, there was a flood of people, they were hugging each other, dancing," the woman said.

The streets of Naples were overtaken by fans, overjoyed by their team's victory, who ignited firecrackers and flares while they cheered and chanted to commemorate the club's first title since the era of the late Diego Maradona, who won the Scudetto in 1987 and 1990.

Celebrations were delayed as fans expected to enjoy the long-awaited victory on April 30, however, the team failed to secure the necessary 3 points against 14th-ranked Salernitana which would have secured the title for Luciano Spalletti's side on the 32nd matchday.

The events were spoiled by a total of 203 injuries treated within the city's hospitals overnight with 22 of the cases labeled as serious, according to authorities. Knife wounds were treated as well as injuries caused by firecrackers and suffocation from smoke inhalation.

A person was also shot dead in an incident that led to 3 other injuries but it is still unknown whether the event is linked to yesterday's celebration or to mafia-related crime.

On a brighter note, the historic victory featured on the front pages of every major Italian newspaper, while the headline of the local II Mattino read "Naples Sings."

#Napoli fans celebrated wildly in the streets of the southern city following the team’s first #SerieA title in more than three decades.

There was also a big crowd of fans at a Maradona mural in the downtown Quartieri Spagnoli neighborhood in #Naples.

The Stadio Diego Armando… pic.twitter.com/0lFqnIQ3eS
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) May 5, 2023