Napoli secured their fourth Serie A title—and second in three seasons—on Friday night with a commanding 2-0 victory over Cagliari, edging past defending champions Inter Milan by just one point in a nail-biting end to the Italian league season. The win sent thousands of Neapolitan fans into wild celebrations at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona and across the city’s bustling piazzas.
The match itself was charged with tension, as Inter took an early lead against Como in their simultaneous fixture, momentarily placing the title in Milan’s grasp. However, Napoli responded with the composure of champions. Goals from summer signings Scott McTominay and Romelu Lukaku sealed a deserved win, returning the Scudetto to southern Italy and completing a stunning turnaround under manager Antonio Conte.
Conte’s Historic Feat: The Architect of the Resurrection
Antonio Conte etched his name into football history as the first manager to win Serie A titles with three different clubs—Juventus, Inter Milan, and now Napoli. The 55-year-old Italian tactician took over a side that had finished 10th the previous season, having cycled through three coaches and suffered a dismal title defense. What followed was a remarkable transformation, fueled by grit, tactical discipline, and inspired signings.
“This was the most unexpected, the most difficult, and the most stimulating challenge,” Conte said after the match. “When we arrived at the stadium, it was chaos. The passion of these fans is overwhelming—and we knew we couldn’t let them down.”
Captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo praised Conte’s impact, saying, “Everyone contributed to this—but the coach most of all. Napoli needed him to get back on top. He’s phenomenal.” Conte, suspended and watching from the tribune, raced onto the pitch at the final whistle to embrace Lukaku, his key signing and former ally at Inter.
McTominay and Lukaku: Summer Signings Deliver Silverware
Napoli’s title charge was defined by two players who arrived with questions hanging over them: Scott McTominay from Manchester United and Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea. Both proved instrumental throughout the campaign and especially in the season finale.
McTominay scored a crucial opener in the 42nd minute, acrobatically finishing a cross from Matteo Politano. It was his 12th league goal in a season where he also earned Serie A Player of the Season honors. Lukaku, who finished with 14 goals and a league-best 10 assists, netted Napoli’s second with a brilliant solo effort in the 51st minute. His chemistry with Conte, already proven at Inter, reignited Napoli’s frontline in the absence of former stars Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
With both attackers rising to the occasion, the Partenopei managed to maintain their edge over Inter, despite the Nerazzurri’s own 2-0 win over 10-man Como on the final day.
From Collapse to Comeback: Napoli’s Season in Review
Napoli’s journey back to the summit of Italian football is one of the most remarkable turnarounds in recent Serie A history. After a crushingly poor 2022-23 campaign, Conte took over and began reshaping the squad. Despite losing Kvaratskhelia to Paris Saint-Germain and loaning out Osimhen to Galatasaray, Napoli found new strength in their defensive solidity and midfield resilience.
They recovered from an opening-day loss to Hellas Verona by winning eight of their next nine matches. A seven-game winning streak during the winter propelled them into serious title contention. Even with a thin squad and no European distractions, the club’s focused domestic campaign allowed them to maintain consistency.
Conte’s system minimized vulnerabilities and emphasized pragmatism. Napoli boasted the best defensive record in the league and made the most of their limited resources. Being knocked out of the Coppa Italia early gave them additional rest, while Inter battled on multiple fronts.
Looking Ahead: Champions League Return and Summer Reinforcements
With the title secured, Napoli can now look forward to returning to the UEFA Champions League next season. After missing out on European football entirely this year, their domestic focus paid off—but reinforcements will be necessary to compete on multiple fronts next term.
Napoli’s management will aim to bolster the squad over the summer, especially with a view to replacing long-departed stars and adding depth for Europe’s premier competition. The return to the Champions League not only brings prestige but also crucial revenue.
Meanwhile, Inter will shift focus to the upcoming Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain on May 31. For now, though, the spotlight belongs to Napoli, their historic coach, and a team that clawed its way back to the top of Italian football with determination, discipline, and passion.
