Italy: Paolo Souza spoils the party, and Napoli postpones the title decision

Lazio’s defeat in Milan, in the early afternoon, against Napoli left an open path for the Scudetto celebration on Sunday, but the decision has been delayed by at least a day.

The Azzurri were ahead, but they took “a bucket of cold water” in the final stage and drew 1-1 with Salernitana (1-1), through Paulo Souza, with the time still six days to go.

Expectations – even on the streets – were high, but it was not expected to be an easy task, not least because Salernitana came from an eight-match streak without losing.

In the first half, Luciano Spalletti’s side dominated the match, but found it difficult to overcome Salernitana’s defensive organisation.

In the second half, with the first substitutions, everything changed. Raspadori was released in the 61st minute, and in the next minute, he set up a goal. The Italian winger crossed into the penalty area, and Uruguayan Matias Oliveira – who this evening replaced the injured Mario Rui – rose higher before returning home.

Diego Armando Maradona was delirious.

Smells like the title 🤩

Matias Oliveira scores the first goal for Napoli.# sports #SERIEAnnaSPORTTV #Naples #salernitana pic.twitter.com/jM7PrmpI9n

– Sport TV (SPORTTVPortugal)
April 30, 2023

However, six minutes into the 90th minute, Boulaye Dia outpaced Osimhen as he wanted, entered the Napoli area and fired a clean shot with his left foot, silencing the pitch. On the second framed shot he had in the entire game, Salernitana caused such damage that Paulo Souza ran to celebrate with the players.

A bucket of cold water in Naples 🤯# sports #SERIEAnnaSPORTTV #Naples #salernitana pic.twitter.com/9h3JJOAeXJ

– Sport TV (SPORTTVPortugal)
April 30, 2023

Frustration gripped Napoli who, however, looked for a 2-1 to end the title discussions, but Ochoa answered in the affirmative whenever he was called for a tackle.

Already in injury time, Paulo Sousa received a red card and was sent off for the violent way he protested during the Napoli attack.

Despite the frustration, Diego Armando Maradona praised the team, not least because winning the title that had been elusive for 33 years is almost inevitable: Napoli are leading on 79 points, 18 ahead of Lazio, in second place.

Salernitana, on the other hand, is in 14th place with 34 points.