Napoli secured their second Serie A title in three seasons on Friday, a feat achieved not just through their consistent performances but also thanks to a lighter match schedule and the increasing wear and tear that affected their closest competitors, especially Inter Milan.
The title race extended to the final matchday, where Napoli held their nerve and defeated Cagliari 2–0, sparking massive celebrations across the coastal city of Campania.
The statistics reflect Napoli’s advantage. After an underwhelming previous season, they entered this campaign without the burden of European tournaments, unlike Inter, which had to manage both Serie A and a deep Champions League run.
With just 41 matches on their calendar due to an early domestic cup exit, Napoli enjoyed significantly more rest than Inter, who had racked up 58 games over the season.
The campaign had a rough start for new head coach Antonio Conte, whose team suffered a 3–0 defeat against Hellas Verona in their opener. But things turned around quickly after two crucial signings, Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea and Scott McTominay from Manchester United, were secured within a day.
Both newcomers became central to Napoli’s success, scoring a combined 26 goals in the league. Their partnership brought back memories of the formidable Osimhen-Kvaratskhelia duo that drove Napoli to their last title two years ago.
After Kvaratskhelia left in January, McTominay stepped up and became a fan favorite and a key leader on the pitch.
Though Lukaku and McTominay didn’t quite match the explosive impact of their predecessors, their influence proved sufficient, especially in the decisive win over Cagliari, where both found the net.
Earlier in the season, the title race was a tight contest involving Atalanta, Inter, and Napoli. However, Atalanta lost momentum after veteran coach Gian Piero Gasperini confirmed in January he wouldn’t extend his tenure.
Juventus also fell short, hampered by too many draws under manager Thiago Motta. He was replaced by Igor Tudor, who revived their form and pushed them into the top four, though not close enough to challenge for the top spot.
Inter’s season eventually became defined by manager Simone Inzaghi’s balancing act between domestic and European ambitions. With Napoli now champions, attention shifts to Inter’s Champions League final clash against Paris Saint-Germain on May 31, a game that may justify Inzaghi’s choices.
By Yockshard Enyendi