In a night filled with drama, passion, and unforgettable moments, Napoli secured their second Serie A title in three years with a commanding 2-0 victory over Cagliari at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. The match, played on the final day of the 2024-25 Serie A season, saw Antonio Conte’s side clinch the Scudetto in front of a frenzied home crowd, edging out rivals Inter Milan by a single point to claim their fourth Italian championship in club history. Goals from Scott McTominay and Romelu Lukaku sealed the triumph, marking a remarkable turnaround for a team that finished 10th just a season ago.
A Title Race for Ages
The 2024-25 Serie A season will be remembered as one of the most gripping in recent memory, with Napoli and Inter Milan locked in a fierce battle for the title that went down to the wire. Entering the final matchday, Napoli held a slender one-point lead over Inter, who faced Como simultaneously. A Napoli victory would secure the championship, but any slip-up could have handed the title to Inter or forced a rare playoff, a possibility that had fans across Italy on edge.
Napoli’s journey to the title was nothing short of extraordinary. After a disastrous 2023-24 campaign that saw them finish 10th—marking one of the worst title defenses in Serie A history—the club underwent a transformation under the guidance of Antonio Conte. The Italian tactician, known for his Midas touch in Serie A, took the reins and rebuilt a squad that had lost key players like Victor Osimhen (on loan to Galatasaray) and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (transferred to Paris Saint-Germain). Despite these departures, Conte instilled a winning mentality, leveraging a rock-solid defense and the emergence of new stars to propel Napoli back to the summit of Italian football.
The Match
A Night of Magic at Maradona Stadium From the moment the teams took the field, the atmosphere at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona was electric. Napoli fans, sensing a historic moment, filled the stands hours before kickoff, their songs and flares creating a cauldron of noise that reverberated across Naples. The city, starved for success after a 33-year title drought until 2023, was ready to erupt.
Napoli started the match with intent, dominating possession and creating early chances. Giacomo Raspadori fired a shot just wide in the opening minutes, while Romelu Lukaku saw a goal-bound effort blocked by Cagliari’s Yerry Mina. The visitors, sitting 14th in the table and safe from relegation, put up a spirited defense, with Antoine Makoumbou surviving a VAR check for a potential red card after a heated clash. But Napoli’s pressure was relentless, and the breakthrough came in the 42nd minute.
Scott McTominay, the former Manchester United midfielder who has become a fan favorite in Naples, delivered a moment of sheer brilliance. Latching onto a pinpoint cross from Matteo Politano, McTominay executed a stunning bicycle kick that rocketed past Cagliari goalkeeper Alen Sherri, sending the home crowd into a frenzy. The goal, McTominay’s 12th of the season, was a testament to his transformation under Conte into a dynamic, goal-scoring midfielder. Nicknamed “McFratm” (Neapolitan for “my brother”) by Napoli fans, the Scotsman has won hearts with his work rate and clutch performances.
The mood briefly dipped around the 20th minute when news filtered through that Inter had taken the lead against Como via Stefan de Vrij’s goal, temporarily putting them atop the live standings. But McTominay’s strike restored belief, and Napoli never looked back. Six minutes after the restart, Romelu Lukaku doubled the lead with a goal that showcased his strength and composure. Collecting a long ball, the Belgian striker shrugged off Cagliari’s Michel Adopo and calmly slotted past Sherri, sparking wild celebrations that saw substitutes spill onto the pitch and Lukaku booked for removing his shirt.
From there, the match turned into a coronation. Napoli controlled the game, with goalkeeper Alex Meret making key saves, including a stop on Alessandro Deiola’s shot, to preserve the clean sheet. As the final whistle blew, flares and smoke filled the air, and fireworks illuminated the Naples sky. The Stadio Diego Armando Maradona became a sea of blue as fans celebrated a triumph that felt like a rebirth for the club.
Key Performers and Conte’s Masterclass Scott McTominay was the hero of the night, earning Serie A Player of the Season honors shortly after the match for his 12 goals and four assists in 34 appearances. His journey from a squad player at Manchester United to a title-winning star in Italy is a story of reinvention, with Conte’s tactical acumen unlocking his potential as an advanced midfielder.
Romelu Lukaku, signed from Chelsea, proved equally vital, finishing the season with 14 goals and a league-leading 10 assists. His physicality and clinical finishing were pivotal in Napoli’s low-scoring but highly effective campaign, which saw them net just 59 goals—the lowest tally for a Serie A champion in the 20-team era.
Behind the scenes, Conte’s influence was undeniable. The 55-year-old, who became the first manager to win Serie A with three different clubs (Juventus, Inter, and now Napoli), transformed a disjointed squad into a defensive juggernaut. Napoli conceded just 27 goals, the fewest in the league, a testament to Conte’s emphasis on organization and discipline. Despite being absent from the touchline due to a suspension, his presence was felt, with captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo praising him as “phenomenal” for returning Napoli to glory.
The Bigger Picture
Napoli’s triumph is historic for several reasons. They became the first team in the 20-team Serie A era to win the Scudetto after finishing 10th the previous season, surpassing the record set by Conte’s Juventus in 2011-12. Their 82 points, while modest compared to past champions, underscored their consistency in a tightly contested race.
The victory also marked a personal milestone for Conte, who described the title as “the most unexpected, difficult, and stimulating” of his career. Taking over a club in disarray, he navigated the loss of star players and a lack of European distractions to focus solely on the league. His ability to rally the squad and the city of Naples, which he called a “huge responsibility,” was evident in the outpouring of emotion from fans and players alike.
For Cagliari, the defeat was a footnote in a season of survival. Finishing 14th with nine wins from 38 matches, they held their own but were no match for Napoli’s title-driven intensity.
Celebrations and What’s Next As the final whistle blew, Naples erupted in joy. Fans flooded the city’s central piazzas, where jumbo screens broadcast the match, and celebrations continued into the night. The trophy presentation, with captain Di Lorenzo lifting the Scudetto, was a moment of catharsis for a fanbase that has endured decades of heartbreak since the Diego Maradona era.
Looking ahead
Napoli’s return to the Champions League in 2025-26 promises to be an exciting chapter. With a thin squad, the club faces a crucial summer transfer window to bolster their ranks. Meanwhile, Conte’s legacy grows, cementing his status as one of Italy’s greatest managers. For now, though, Naples is a city in celebration, basking in the glory of a hard-fought Scudetto.
“It is the well-deserved victory of an extraordinary team and a city that never stops dreaming, fighting and loving,” Naples mayor Gaetano Manfredi wrote on X, capturing the sentiment of a region united in triumph.
For Napoli, the 2024-25 season will forever be remembered as the year they defied the odds, silenced doubters and brought the Scudetto back to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. Forza Napoli!
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