FOR SATURDAY - Napoli end 33-year title drought with Serie A miracle

By Emre Asikci

ISTANBUL (AA) - Napoli ended a 33-year drought to be crowned Serie A champions following a 1-1 draw at Udinese on Thursday that gave them an insurmountable lead.

The team clinched its first Serie A title since Argentine legend Diego Maradona broke a sweat for the club from 1984 to 1991.

The Argentine superstar led Napoli to its only Serie A titles, in 1987 and 1990.

In 2004, Napoli suffered bankruptcy, resulting in its relegation to the third division of Italian football, but the club was soon purchased by Aurelio De Laurentiis, who had ambitious plans.

His primary goals were to establish financial stability and rebuild after bankruptcy.

Thanks to De Laurentiis' leadership and efforts by the team, Napoli quickly jumped the ranks of Italian football after bankruptcy and relegation.

Within three years of their demotion, the team earned two promotions and was back in the top tier in 2007.

Since winning their last Italian top-tier title in 1989-90, Napoli has been on a rollercoaster ride with more than $1 million spent on the team and several managers, including Carlo Ancelotti and Rafael Benitez. And there have been many agonizingly close moments.

- Osimhen, Kvaratskhelia lead Napoli to title

Victor Osimhen, who clinched Udinese with a draw Thursday in the 52nd minute, became the all-time African goal scorer in a single Serie A season.

The 24-year-old Nigerian tied former AC Milan standout George Weah, who after retiring from football was elected Liberia’s president in 2018AC.

Osimhen is currently leading the goal chart in the league with 22 in 27 matches as he scored 27 goals in all 34 competitions.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who joined the team from Georgia's Dinamo Batumi at the beginning of the season, has impressed fans with his high-level performance.

The 22-year-old winger has 12 goals and 12 assists in 29 appearances.

- Spaletti breaks down in tears

Coach Luciano Spalletti was reduced to tears after his side claimed the long-awaited third Serie A title.

The 64-year-old Italian, who took a managerial role in 2021, became the oldest manager to win the Scudetto.

He previously worked for Empoli, Sampdoria, Venezia, Udinese, Ancona, Roma, Zenit, and Inter Milan.

Spaletti has a decorated trophy cabinet that boasts several significant titles during his career. Among them is now a Serie A trophy – a testament to his ability to lead teams.

In addition, he won the Italian Cup twice, the Italian Super Cup with Roma and the Russian Premier League title, and Russian Cup and Russian Super Cup with Zenit.

With the Serie A title, Napoli have won two Italian Super Cups (1991, 2014) and six Italian Cup trophies (1962, 1976, 1987, 2012, 2014, 2020), and the 1989 UEFA Cup.