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The Serie A leaders will have to wait until Thursday to seal a first Scudetto in 33 years after Dia cancelled out Osimhen’s strike at the death
Napoli’s title celebrations have been put on hold after Boulaye Dia scored a late equaliser to hold the Partenopei to a 1-1 draw, ensuring Salernitana’s last five away games have ended all square.
After 33 long years, Napoli fans had hoped that this would be the day where they would be crowned champions.
Lazio’s defeat to Inter in the lunchtime kick-off ensured the Partenopei had the chance to clinch the Serie A title in the stadium named after the man who starred in the club’s previous two Scudetto wins, the great Diego Armando Maradona.
Spurred on by an expectant and vociferous crowd, Napoli’s modern-day hero Victor Osimhen headed wide from Hirving’s Lozano cross within the opening two minutes.
The Nigeria international had to wait 20 minutes for the next chance to come his way, but when it did, he could only send his powerful header straight at Guillermo Ochoa.
The Mexico international was required again in the latter stages of the first-half, pushing Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa’s strike away from danger, ensuring the score remained goalless at the interval.
Salernitana’s dogged performance in the first period highlighted the resilience that has led to them enjoying an eight-game unbeaten run prior to kick off. The visitors continued to frustrate their hosts in the opening 15 minutes of the second half, forcing Luciano Spalletti to turn to his bench, introducing Elif Elmas and Giacomo Raspadori.
Within 60 seconds of his arrival onto the hallowed turf, Raspadori curled a corner onto the head of Mathías Olivera, who nodded the ball into the bottom corner, sparking a scene of wild jubilation that had been 33 years in the making.
As the party started in the stands on the streets of Naples, the 11 men in the blue had to remain focused on the task in hand.
Unfortunately for the hosts, Dia was in the mood to cut the celebrations short, as he drove inside from the right flank to send an unstoppable strike past Alex Meret. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia attempted to find a late winner with a curling effort that was smartly stopped by Ochoa, ensuring the wait for the Serie A title will go on a little while longer.
While Salernitana end the day seven points clear of the drop, Napoli will have the chance to end their 33-year wait when they face Udinese on Thursday.
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