Napoli will have to wait at least a few more days to seal the Serie A title after drawing 1-1 with regional opponents Salernitana on Sunday, disappointing legions of fans of the southern club who were already celebrating clinching the scudetto.
The Partenopei would have sentenced the scepter six days in advance — something unprecedented in the Italian first division — if they defeated Salernitana.
But Boulaye Dia soured the celebration at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium when he scored for the visitors six minutes from time.
Uruguayan Mathias Olivera had overtaken Napoli. During the afternoon, the Neapolitan goal cry was drowned out again and again in the safe hands of Guillermo Ochoa, the veteran Mexican goalkeeper from Salernitana
With the result, Napoli continues to gallop at the head of the table. Coach Luciano Spalletti’s team takes 18 points from Lazio, his immediate pursuer and who succumbed 3-1 on a visit to Inter Milan.
Juventus, third in the table, could displace second-place Lazio with a win at Bologna later on.
Napoli are within striking distance of winning the Italian league for the first time since Maradona led them to their only two titles in 1987 and 1990.
Olivera scored in the 62nd minute with a header, redirecting the ball towards the far post.
When Napoli was throbbing the consecration, the Senegalese Dia dribbled the Neapolitan center forward Victor Osimhen from the right wing and declared the tie with a left-footed shot crossed into the corner.
Napoli will visit Udinese in their next game on Thursday, a day after Lazio host Sassuolo and Juventus host Lecce.
The Neapolitan Tifosi celebrated inside and outside the stadium for hours leading up to the match — unleashing their euphoria when Lazio lost, which opened the door for Napoli to rule.
But Salernitana, a team that has not lost for two months, did not want that to be the case.
