Victor Osimhen will have to wait to etch his name his Napoli’s history book after Boulaye Dia’s sensational equaliser earned a 1-1 draw for Salernitana to deny the Partenopei their Serie A title in 33 years, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
It was a difficult day for Osimhen, who had five shots but could not find a way through.
Inter’s victory over Lazio earlier on Sunday meant a win would be enough for Napoli to secure their first Scudetto since the Diego Maradona era.
Stadio Diego Armando Maradona was rocking at kick-off following news of Lazio’s defeat, though the home fans had to wait until the 23rd minute for their first clear opening when Osimhen headed over from a free-kick.
Mathias Olivera looked set to seal his name in Napoli history after heading the Partenopei ahead in the 62nd minute.
Yet Dia’s brilliant 84th-minute effort means Luciano Spalletti’s side will have to wait until at least Wednesday to officially win the title.
The league leaders wasted a lot of chances to seal the game and Dia made the hosts pay, cutting in from the left, getting the better of Osimhen and drilling a wonderful strike into the top-left corner, with subsequent saves from Ochoa frustrating a fervent crowd.
Had Napoli won a game that was delayed by 24 hours in order for public security to be reinforced in the city of Naples, it would have represented the earliest Scudetto success by a side in terms of remaining games before the end of the league season (six).
However, Napoli will have to wait. They lead by 18 points, meaning the title is all but theirs, though there will be frustration that they failed to get the job done at home, with their supporters waiting in droves outside the ground.
Lazio are in action again on Wednesday, and should they fail to beat Sassuolo, the title will be Napoli’s.
