Boulaye scored a late equaliser as Salernitana held Napoli at Estadio Armando Maradona to extend their wait for the Scudetto.
Starting Lineup
Napoli: Meret; Di Lorenzo, Kim Min-Jae, Rrahmani, Olivera; Anguissa, Lobotka, Zielinski; Lozano, Osimhen, Kvaratskhelia
Salernitana: Ochoa; Daniliuc, Gyomber, Pirola; Mazzocchi, Coulibaly, Vilhena, Bradaric; Candreva, Kastanos; Dia
Standing on the cusp of history, Napoli needed a win against Salernitana to end their three decades wait for the Scudetto.
Inter Milan came from behind to drag down the last hurdle that would have denied Luciano Spalletti the title.
The Nerazzurri came from behind to beat Lazio 3-1. Luciano Spalletti now needed a win against Salernitana to win the title today, April 30.
Napoli fans at the Estadio Armando Maradona were already raising flags of celebration waiting to clinch the trophy.
A perfect start for Napoli
It was a perfect start for Napoli as the referee set the match rolling.
They were already buoyed by the energy and passion of the fans who overwhelmed Salernitana fans with shouts and boos as Napoli passed the ball around.
Victor Osimhen nearly hit the opener for the Serie A title hopefuls just in the 2nd minute; Lozano had picked his pace down the right and flicks it to Osimhen, who plugged a powerful header but the ball flew over the crossbar.
Napoli came close again with another early threat when Victor Osimhen nodded home a 7th-minute header again but Salernitana goalkeeper was equal to the task this time.
Napoli continued to dominate the game but were having a hard time in Salernitana’s half.
The visitors did little to break on attacks but sat back to contain the pressure by the high-pressing Luciano Spalletti’s boys who were hungry for a win to clinch the trophy.
Napoli hit the biggest chance of the game in the first half when Victor Osimhen planted a classic header on Napoli freekick but was denied by Ochoa again.
Half-hour mark crossed without goal
Salernitana continued to hold on as Napoli mount pressure but it was still goalless with the half-hour mark crossed.
Luciano Spalletti was getting increasingly nervous and unsettled at the touchlines, barking out orders to the players.
It was still a deadlock for Napoli going forward. The solid Salernitana all-man defense left no cracks to allow the home side penetrate.
Anguissa came to close giving Napoli the lead when he cracked a thunderbolt strike from outside the box but was denied by Ochoa.
First Half ended goalless
Napoli were the better side after the first half but failed to break Salernitana’s brinkwall defense.
It was a disappointing one for Gli Azzurri going into first-half break without a goal. They needed the next 45 minutes not to disappoint the expectant Gli Azzurri fans that have turned out in variety of colors awaiting the Scudetto.
Second Half Report
Napoli maintained their attacking momentum heading into the second half.
It was a marathon of pressure on Salernitana’s half as the Luciano Spalletti boys ramped up attempts to find an opening goal.
Napoli finally take the lead!!
It was a history-making goal by Olivera for the Gli Azzurri after crossing the hour mark. After a marathon of pressure, Olivera hit the opener, sparking an uproar and wild celebrations among Napoli fans at the Maradona Stadium.
The left-back headed home a corner kick in the 62nd minute to give the home side a deserved lead.
Salernitana grab late equaliser!!!
It was a dark moment in the game for Napoli as Salernitana grabbed a late equaliser to spoil the party for the home fans.
Boulaye Dia scored a left-foot worldie after breaking into the box from the right flank.
Napoli made late attempts to retake the lead all to no avail as the visitors held on to share spoils with a 1-1 draw after the final whistle. The draw extended Napoli’s wait for the Scudetto.
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