Napoli 1-1 Salernitana: Partenopei’s Serie A title wait goes on after being held at home
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ByEurosport
Updated 30/04/2023 at 15:47 GMT
The Champagne, or maybe Prosecco, will have to remain on ice as Napoli were held at home by Salernitana meaning their title celebrations will have to wait. Lazio’s loss to Inter Milan earlier in the day raised the prospect of Napoli clinching the Scudetto for the first time since 1990, but Salernitana spoiled the party at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
Victor Osimhen reacts during the Serie A match between Napoli and Salernitana on April 30, 2023 at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Naples.
Image credit: Eurosport
Salernitana ruined Napoli's celebrations with a late equaliser as Luciano Spalletti's side missed the opportunity to wrap up the Serie A title with six games to spare.
Napoli made the breakthrough in the 62nd minute when defender Mathias Olivera headed the hosts in front, finally breaking Salernitana’s resistance.
That looked like being the winner as the Naples club prepared to celebrate their first league title since 1990 when the great Diego Maradona led the club to immortality.
But a fine 84th-minute equaliser by Boulaye Dia silenced the stadium and ensured Napoli would have to wait until Thursday – when they visit Udinese – for another chance to seal the Scudetto.
Napoli knew a victory would seal the league trophy after Inter Milan came from behind to beat second-placed Lazio 3-1 earlier in the day.
An expectant crowed ready to celebrate made for a raucous atmosphere at a packed Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, but perhaps feeling the pressure, the home side struggled in a nervy opening 45 minutes.
They started on the front foot and could have been ahead with barely a minute on the clock when Victor Osimhen headed just wide.
But their bright start proved to be something of a false dawn as Salernitana slowed the tempo of the game and restricted the champions-elect to only half chances, Osimhen and Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa forcing saves from goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa.
The visitors’ resistance was finally broken just past the hour-mark when the unmarked Olivera headed in from a corner to send the home supporters wild. It was just his second goal of the season but one which Napoli thought may go down in history as the match ball was immediately put into a velvet bag.
The relief inside the ground was palpable as Napoli pushed for more. Elif Elmas and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia spurned opportunities to double their lead – before the sting in the tail arrived.
With just six minutes remaining you could hear a pin drop when Dia cut in off the right flank and arrowed a beautiful shot into the top corner, leaving Alex Meret with no chance.
Napoli’s response was immediate but despite going close through Kvaratskhelia and substitute Giovanni Simeone, the home side couldn’t fashion a winner. And for now, the Champagne remains on ice.
Talking point - Nervy Napoli made to wait
Napoli have waited 33 years for the Scudetto and they will have to hold on for at least another four days to see the trophy return to the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.
This game was originally to be played on Saturday but was postponed for 24 hours due to public security concerns, with Napoli seemingly ready to settle the title race with six games to spare. The city was prepared for a party but Salernitana - now unbeaten in nine games - refused to roll over.
Having steam rolled a number of opponents this season, the goals have dried up for Napoli - particularly at home. They had failed to score in three of their previous four games on home turf and Salernitana had a plan to neutralise them - only to be undone by a set-piece.
Napoli will inevitably win the Serie A title - they remain 18 points clear at the top of the table - but on this form their anxious supporters may have to remain patient for a while.
Player of the match - Guillermo Ochoa (Salernitana)
The goalkeeper pulled off a couple of important saves to keep his side in the game and got his rewards with his side earning a point.
Player ratings
Napoli: Meret 6, Di Lorenzo 6, Rrahmani 6, Kim Min-jae 6, Olivera 8, Anguissa 7, Lobotka 7, Zielinski 6, Lozano 7, Osimhen 7, Kvaratskhelia 7.. subs: Raspadori 6, Elmas 6, Jesus N/A, Ndombele N/A.
Salernitana: Ochoa 8*, Daniliuc 7, Gyomber 6, Pirola 6, Mazzocchi 7, Vilhena 7, Coulibaly 6, Bradaric 6, Candreva 4, Kastanos 6, Dia 8.. subs: Sambia 5, Piatek 5, Bohinen 5, Botheim 6, Lovato N/A.
Match highlights
2’ - ALMOST A DREAM START! Barely a minute on the clock, Osimhen almost heads Napoli in front from Lozano's cross!
62’ - GOAL! NAPOLI 1-0 SALERNITANA (MATHIAS OLIVERA): Napoli have scored and this means so much to the home support! It's not the prettiest of goals, the unmarked Olivera with a header from a corner, but nobody here cares! Napoli have their goal and the celebrations may well start!
66’ - CLOSE TO A SECOND! Elmas embarks on a fine run, bursting into the penalty area but failing to find the target from inside the six-yard area!
80’ - CLOSE! Kvaratskhelia almost grabs a well-deserved goal - he drills a shot across the face of goal from the left, narrowly missing the far post.
84’ - GOAL! NAPOLI 1-1 SALERNITANA (BOULAYE DIA) - You could hear a pin drop as Dia rifles a fantastic shot into the far top corner, giving Meret no chance! Party cancelled?!
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