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The Guardian
24-05-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Conte masterminds ‘most unexpected' scudetto with single-minded Napoli
Antonio Conte had asked a city not to get ahead of itself, not to celebrate this Serie A title before their team earned it. 'I don't want to see flags here and there with numbers on,' he said afterthe draw with Parma in the penultimate round. Everybody knew what he meant: Napoli were in touching distance of their fourth scudetto but, for a superstitious manager, now was not the moment to say it out loud. Supporters held off for as long as they could. Not until the final moments of Napoli's 2-0 win over Cagliari on Friday did the giant white sheet come cascading down the stands of the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona with an enormous black '4' in the middle. Green and red flares were set off either side to create the colours of the Italian flag. The same that appear on a scudetto badge. Conte was watching from a private box, banned from the touchline after a red card against Parma. Even he was starting to surrender to this moment. Thousands more fans were already gathering outside the sold-out stadium, setting off the first pyrotechnics on another night of Neapolitan fireworks that could put Mount Vesuvius to shame. It was not supposed to happen this quickly. Napoli waited 33 years between their second and third Serie A titles, and even that felt impossibly soon to supporters who had imagined it might never happen again without Maradona wearing the shirt. The manager who ended that drought, Luciano Spalletti, collected his winner's medal and immediately rode off into the sunset in his newly repainted Fiat Panda. Few expected Napoli to be contenders this season. Yes, that title win under Spalletti was only two years ago and, yes, Conte was a serial champion who had claimed league titles before with Juventus, Chelsea and Inter. But as he reminded us often, Napoli finished 10th last season. Their top scorer of the last two years, Victor Osimhen, was packed off to Galatasaray in an unhappy loan deal compromise to save on his wage bill. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, the other stand-out performer from Spalletti's scudetto-winning team, was sold to Paris Saint-Germain in January without a replacement. David Neres, his alternative on the left of attack, promptly got injured. And yet Napoli, even after beginning their season with a 3-0 defeat to Verona, have occupied first place for more than half of this campaign. Rarely spectacular, and occasionally downright unconvincing, they made virtues of consistency and single-mindedness. Unlike their title rivals, they began without European distractions. They exited the Coppa Italia in the last 16 after fielding a weakened team against Lazio. Where Inter stumbled in key head-to-heads – they dropped five points to each of Juventus, Milan and Bologna – Napoli largely avoided such demoralising setbacks. There were some brief wobbles, in February and again over the last fortnight, when draws against Genoa and Parma gave Inter a chance to steal ahead. But the Nerazzurri twice let a lead slip against Lazio to blow what turned out to be their last chance. There were brief moments of tension on Friday night. Napoli began with a one-point lead over Inter, who kicked off at the same time at Como and took the lead through Stefan de Vrij after 21 minutes. Briefly, they moved ahead in the real-time table. Napoli were making things look hard in front of goal, a common theme of this season. All except for Scott McTominay, that is. The man whose man nicknames in Naples include Apribottiglie – Bottle Opener – popped the cork on the night's celebrations with a sensational scissor-kick just before half-time. There could be no more fitting way to get the party started. This was McTominay's 12th goal of the Serie A season, and the eighth time he has broken a deadlock at 0-0. Little wonder that he should receive the league's Most Valuable Player award at full time. What an inspired piece of business his signing looks with hindsight. Napoli paid just over €30m to sign McTominay from Manchester United right at the end of last summer's transfer window. His goals have been essential but so has his versatility, lining up at different times as a box-to-box midfielder, No 10 or wide on the left. Still, Napoli are not a one-man show. It was Romelu Lukaku who made it 2-0 soon after the break, holding off Michel Adopo and dribbling past Yerry Mina as he ran half the pitch to drill a finish past the goalkeeper Alen Sherri. The Belgian's 14th goal of the campaign, to go with a league-leading 10 assists. Sign up to Football Daily Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football after newsletter promotion He is a different player now to the one who fired Conte's Inter to the title four years ago. Yet the bond between them is the same. When the manager finally was allowed on to the pitch at full time, he made a bee-line straight for Lukaku, sharing a long and heartfelt embrace. The club's president, Aurelio De Laurentiis, stood awkwardly to the side, awaiting his turn. It is no secret that there has been tension between him and Conte, the manager frustrated – and you've heard this one before – with a perceived lack of investment in the squad, especially after Kvaratskhelia's departure. Neither would commit in post-game interviews to the manager being back again next year. Who cared about that anyway? This was a night to celebrate, not to worry about what comes next. Napoli fans are living through the most successful domestic chapter in their club's history. Not even Maradona won two scudetti here in three years. This story is more remarkable for the upheaval in the middle of it – the fact neither Spalletti nor his two best players stayed around for this second triumph. Napoli went through three managers last season before landing Conte in the summer. De Laurentiis is clearly doing a lot right, but he doesn't half find unconventional ways to do it. Conte, the first manager to win Serie A with three different clubs, called this: 'The most unexpected, difficult and stimulating scudetto of my career.' Imagine how it must feel to the players who have stayed through this whole journey, footballers who perhaps do not get enough credit in among the praise rightfully being heaped on the likes of Lukaku and McTominay. Frank Anguissa was magnificent again this season, owning the middle of the pitch and driving his team forward in possession. Amir Rrahmani stepped up brilliantly at centre-back after summer signing Alessandro Buongiorno was injured. Giovanni Di Lorenzo, the club captain, was back to his best after a disappointing last season. They all went under the Curva together at the end. Conte held up a piece of card in the shape of a scudetto badge. On it was a slogan made around a number that no longer felt scary to say: 'Ag4in'.
Free Malaysia Today
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Free Malaysia Today
Napoli claim fourth Serie A title as Inter fall short
Napoli clinched their second Serie A crown in three seasons at a packed Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. (AP pic) NAPLES : Napoli sealed the Serie A title today after beating Cagliari 2-0 to hold off Inter Milan and win the Italian championship for the fourth time. Scott McTominay and Romelu Lukaku netted at a packed and wild Stadio Diego Armando Maradona as Napoli secured their second league crown in three seasons on the final day of the season. Napoli finished the season a point ahead of closest rivals Inter Milan who won 2-0 at Como, the outgoing champions' opponents having to play half the match with 10 men after goalkeeper Pepe Reina was sent off just before halftime of his last ever match. Inter's win meant nothing as another Scudetto party was kicked off in Naples by the fans' new heroes McTominay and Lukaku. Scotland midfielder McTominay's 12th goal of his first Serie A season, three minutes before halftime, was a fitting way for Napoli to break the deadlock as he has been the symbol of the team's renewal under coach Antonio Conte. McTominay signed with the season already underway in August and immediately made an impact on a team still reeling from a dreadful defence of the 2023 league title. His acrobatic volley from Matteo Politano's cross broke the ice in a tense stadium, as supporters watched a clutch of good chances come and go while Inter took the lead through Stefan de Vrij in the 21st minute in Como and briefly moved top of the division. And Lukaku made sure that Napoli would secure title glory five minutes after the break when he collected Amir Rrahmani's long pass and held off Yerry Mina before ramming home the goal which sealed the deal. Joaquin Correa doubled Inter's lead just as Lukaku scored, cutting inside Ivan Smolcic before confidently sliding home his second goal of the season. But Inter now turn their attentions to the Champions League final against Paris St-Germain in Munich, where Simone Inzaghi's team will try to win club football's biggest prize after conceding the Scudetto to Napoli. Twelve points lost from winning positions played their part in Inter losing the title and the second-string team sent out at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia suggested that Inzaghi was already thinking ahead to next weekend. Inter had been gunning to repeat the treble won under Jose Mourinho in 2010 earlier in the season but the Champions League is now their only chance for a trophy from a long, and draining campaign which they could end with nothing. Witness football history in Malaysia as Manchester United take on the Asean All-Stars – it's the clash you can't afford to miss. Book your seat now at before they're gone!
The National
22-05-2025
- Sport
- The National
Antonio Conte one win from Serie A glory with Napoli despite 'most difficult' season as coach
A season that started with Antonio Conte apologising to Napoli fans after a humbling defeat could end with the Italian coach celebrating another Serie A crown on Friday night. Going into the campaign finale against Cagliari at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Napoli know that victory will secure the club's fourth Scudetto – no matter what closest rivals Inter Milan do in their match away to Como. Out of Europe's 'Big Five' leagues, only Serie A's title tussle will go down to the wire, with Liverpool, Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain already celebrating their respective domestic victories. While the rest of the Italian top-flight's final-day schedule takes place across Saturday and Sunday, the two title-deciding games have been moved to Friday evening, kicking-off simultaneously at 10.45pm (UAE). Conte's men enjoy a one-point advantage over Uefa Champions League finalists Inter with both teams having drawn their penultimate matches on Sunday – against Parma (0-0) and Lazio (2-2), respectively. Those pressure cooker clashes ended with both Conte and his Inter counterpart Simone Inzaghi being shown red cards, which means neither will be in the dugout on Friday. After the Parma match, a drained Conte admitted his first season in charge at Napoli had been the 'most difficult' of his career. 'I gave everything, I went beyond my limits,' said the former Juventus, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Tottenham Hotspur manager. 'I also know I am exhausted, I'm just about reaching the end of this season. 'Napoli is wonderful for the passion and enthusiasm, but it also brings with it demands and expectations that are often higher than the realistic capabilities.' Those pressures were clear from Conte's first game when his side fell to a 3-0 humbling against a Verona side that could yet be relegated from the top-flight if results do not go their way. 'We melted like snow in the sun,' said Conte after the match on August 10. 'We should apologise to the Neapolitan supporters, who follow us with such passion. 'I'm the coach and it's my responsibility, so I apologise. It was a debacle and it's my fault.' As it turned out, Napoli's form quickly picked up and they would soon surge to the top of the table, not tasting defeat again until losing at home to Atalanta in November – the second of only four Serie A losses all season. Hard to beat, tough to breach, Napoli's defence – marshalled by captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo at right-back, alongside ever-present Kosovan centre-half Amir Rrahmani – has conceded just 27 goals in 37 games, six better than the next meanest backline. In midfield, Scott McTominay has been a revelation since his summer move from Manchester United, contributing an impressive 11 league goals with the Scot establishing himself as a cult hero with supporters. 'He never had a primary role at Man United, while here we gave him one,' said Conte of the 28-year-old in February. 'He's 'worked hard and now he's a complete player.' Up front has been more problematic. Victor Osimhen is in prolific form, scoring 36 goals in 40 games across all competitions, sadly for Napoli, this has been while out on a season-long loan at Turkish club Galatasaray. Potential moves last summer to Chelsea and Al Ahly failed to materialise and one of Europe's most in-demand strikers had to settle for a temporary switch to the Super Lig, with his relationship with Napoli bosses seemingly broken beyond repair. Conte turned to his old attacker at Inter, Romelu Lukaku, for goals, and the Belgian is his club's top-scorer with 13, albeit some way short of the league leading 25 notched by Atalanta's Mateo Retegui. In January, star forward Khvicha Kvaratskhelia left to join Inter's Champions League final opponents Paris Saint-Germain, much to Conte's frustration. 'I am disappointed, it was a bolt from the blue,' Conte admitted after the 23-year-old Georgian requested a transfer. 'We are losing an important player.' Conte falling out with club bosses has been a characteristic of his managerial career, although this usually starts in his second season at a club. Napoli owners have felt his wrath ahead of schedule. 'Everyone who hires me knows that I come with certain expectations,' he said last month, frustrated at how the club's transfer strategy had left his squad short of depth in the title chase. 'I can be a guarantor for a lot of things, but I am not stupid if I don't see the resources necessary to do this.' But despite the problems, Conte is now tantalisingly close to what would be his fifth Scudetto as a coach after three with Juventus and one at Inter. 'We still have to take that final step. It will be taken on our home turf, with the support of our fans,' said the 55-year-old. 'We have been at the top for a long time, despite a season full of difficulties, but we never complained, we kept going and we are right there to achieve something unthinkable and historic for Napoli.' Standing in their way will be Conte and Lukaku's old club Inter, who will take on Ligue 1 champions PSG in the Champions League final on May 31. Inzaghi's reigning champions know that they will have to better Napoli's result on Friday to retain the title but the Nerazzurri have the tougher of the fixtures. Former Spain, Arsenal and Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas has enjoyed an impressive first full season charge of Como, guiding the club to a 10th place finish and having gone eight matches unbeaten. 'Unfortunately, the Scudetto is no longer in our hands, but we need to keep playing with focus,' said Inzhagi after the recent win at Torino. 'People say Inter have a small squad but we don't have the budget of PSG, Manchester City or Bayern Munich, so we need to be better in terms of organisation. With this heart, we can fight it out with everyone.'
USA Today
20-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
How to Watch SSC Napoli vs. Cagliari: Live Stream, TV Channel, Start Time
How to Watch SSC Napoli vs. Cagliari: Live Stream, TV Channel, Start Time | 5/23/2025 The top team in Serie A, SSC Napoli, hosts 14th-place Cagliari on Friday at 2:45 PM ET. You can stream the match on Paramount+. Napoli's last game was a 0-0 draw away from home against Parma, taking eight shots and outshooting Parma by three. Cagliari earned a 3-0 home win over Venezia FC in its last game on May 18, outshooting Venezia FC 15 to seven. How to watch SSC Napoli vs. Cagliari When: Friday, May 23, 2025 at 2:45 PM ET Friday, May 23, 2025 at 2:45 PM ET Where: Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in Naples, Italy Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in Naples, Italy Live Stream: Paramount+ Watch live sports and more without cable on Paramount+. Click here to watch Serie A action. Napoli key players With 13 goals and 10 assists, Romelu Lukaku is a key contributor for Napoli. With 11 goals and three assists, Scott Mctominay is another important player for Napoli. With six goals and four assists, Andre Zambo Anguissa is chipping in for Napoli as well. Giacomo Raspadori has six goals and one assist. Cagliari key players Roberto Piccoli is a key contributor for Cagliari, with 10 goals and one assist. Nadir Zortea has six goals and two assists. With two goals and four assists, Gianluca Gaetano is chipping in for Cagliari as well. Tommaso Augello has no goals, but six assists (on 30 chances created, 0.8 per game). To watch live sports and more without cable, head to Paramount+. Click here to watch Serie A action. Napoli vs. Cagliari match breakdown
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Serie A official line-ups: Napoli vs. Genoa
Napoli can take another giant leap towards the Scudetto as they host Patrick Vieira's Genoa, with Stanislav Lobotka shaking off a knock to start with Giacomo Raspadori, Scott McTominay and Romelu Lukaku. It kicks off at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT, 20.45 CET). Advertisement You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today's Serie A games on the Liveblog. The Partenopei went into the weekend with a three-point lead at the top of the table and have the added advantage of already knowing Inter's result away to Torino played earlier today. NAPLES, ITALY – MARCH 09: General view inside the stadium during the Serie A match between Napoli and Fiorentina at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on March 09, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by) There is already a party atmosphere in Naples after four consecutive victories, even though Alessandro Buongiorno and Juan Jesus are still out injured, with David Neres fit for the bench. The big doubt was over Lobotka, who limped off during last week's 1-0 away to Lecce with a sprained ankle, but he is able to start. Advertisement Once again, Matias Olivera is preferred as a makeshift central defender to Rafa Marin, while Giacomo Raspadori partners Lukaku, giving McTominay a wider role. Tough Genoa test against Napoli GENOA, ITALY – APRIL 4: Patrick Vieira, head coach of Genoa (right), issues Koni De Winter some instructions during the Serie A match between Genoa and Udinese at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on April 4, 2025 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by) Genoa are comfortably mid-table and still smarting from last week's 2-1 defeat to Milan, a game they had been leading 1-0. That was their third consecutive defeat, picking up only one point from the last four rounds, scoring just one goal in that period. Morten Thorsby is suspended, with Ruslan Malinovskyi, Fabio Miretti, Mario Balotelli, Maxwel Cornet, Caleb Ekuban and Alan Matturro injured. Andrea Pinamonti leads the attack, with Vitinha and Junior Messias in support, but Benjamin Siegrist gets his Serie A debut in goal. Napoli vs. Genoa official line-ups Napoli: Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Olivera, Spinazzola; Politano, Anguissa, Lobotka, McTominay; Lukaku, Raspadori Advertisement Genoa: Siegrist; Sabelli, Otoa, Vasquez; Ahanor, Masini, Frendrup, Norton-Cuffy; Vitinha, Messias; Pinamonti Post navigation Serie A Week 36 Liveblog: Napoli vs. Genoa, Torino vs. Inter, Verona vs. Lecce
