The stars at Armando Diego Maradona aligned perfectly and produced a memorably dominant Scudetto win. In a league where Juventus dominated for a long period of time, with only Inter and Milan threatening their grip on the Scudetto, Napoli’s rise is significant.
In a season that has been full of euphoria for the local folk, as they etched closer and closer to the Scudetto that has been in the waiting for over 30 years. Let’s relive some of the key moments that made this season so special for Gli Azzurri.
We are tackling the Serie A in this series of blogs, make sure to check how AC Milan found it difficult to sustain their place at the top and many other interesting blogs on our LV BET Sports Blog. Since the transfer window is in full swing, make sure to check out our Twitter page for more up-to-date news on the ins and outs of Serie A clubs.
Dominant & Unrelenting
After a summer transfer window that saw Napoli sell the likes of Kalidou Koulibaly, Dries Mertens and captain Lorenzo Insigne, many expected a subdued season for the Partenopei. Not a lot of fuss was placed on the arriving contingent of Frank Anguissa, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Min-Jae Kim, all playing a major role in their position to help the team perform to the standard that Luciano Spalletti demanded. The dominant display not only on the pitch but, as stated, in the transfer window. Kim-Jae Kim was bought for €18m, and now he is being linked with a move to Bayern Munich to the tune of €60m, Kvaratskhelia bought for €11.5m is now worth more than €80m.
How did Napoli steamroll the Serie A? Playing a high-pressing, aesthetically pleasing style. Nigerian striker Viktor Osimhen stayed healthy to net regularly, while captain Giovanni Di Lorenza provided inspiration at the back. As the season wore on, the team played with a swagger that confident sides play with, they knew that they were better, and eventually, they were going to score. After their win against Milan at San Siro, Napoli climbed to the top of the Serie A and remained there for the remainder of the season.
No team has won the title by being top in January; ask Arsenal. A 5-1 trashing of Juventus at Stadio Diego Maradona signalled a shift in power. The scoreline in itself is impressive, but the manner in which they sauntered to victory was the main takeaway from the match. Osimhen and Kvarastskhelia both scored in an intense first half as Di Maria pulled on back for the away side before the break. Napoli were at their relentless best in the second period, Rrahmani, Osimhen, and Elmas added to the tally to seal off a memorable, season-defining victory.
European escapade
The group stage looked grim, coming up against Liverpool, Rangers and Ajax, the Italian side had their work cut out pretty early on in the Champions League. The first fixture was at home against Liverpool, but at that time, Napoli’s tail was already up, and they ran riot, winning the game 4-1, with a convincing display placing them at the top of the group, where they finished on goal difference. In the round of 16, Napoli put, reigning Europa League champions, Eintracht Frankfurt to the sword, advancing with an aggregate scoreline of 5-0.
Ahead of them, they had the task of coming up against a fellow Serie A team, AC Milan, who they knew very well. In hindsight, it would have served Napoli better if they played a different team, as they looked overwhelmed with the occasion and did not perform to their usual standard. A quarter-final exit followed after a late rally when Viktor Osimhen scored to make the scoreline on aggregate 2-1, but it was too late.
City wide celebrations
After a season of dreams, the whole of Naples rejoiced when they were crowned once again champions of Italy. A firework display took place as each household played their part in showing their appreciation and admiration towards the team’s performances. Supporters flocked to the ground, and pandemonium erupted as over 30 years of hurt turned into an extravaganza.
The future, that is a question that is hard to answer when it comes to Napoli, can they sustain their place at the top next year? They sure can, without the likes of Kim, who is bound to play for Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich and how can Rudi Garcia, who has been confirmed the new manager, deal with the high expectations? How long can Napoli retain the services of Viktor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia? The answers to these questions will be pivotal towards the future of Napoli in Serie A and in the Champions League.