Napoli emulate Maradona after ending 33-year Serie A title wait

Napoli finally ended their long wait to win Serie A on Thursday, joining late club icon Diego Maradona in the history books by being crowned Italian champions with a record-equalling five matches to play.

A 1-1 draw at Udinese gave Napoli the point they needed to end 33 years of waiting and spark wild celebrations among the thousands of fans in Udine, at the Stadio Maradona in Naples and all around southern Italy's biggest city.

Supporters streamed onto the pitch at the Dacia Arena to celebrate after a season dominated by Luciano Spalletti's side, creating moments of tension with home fans not happy at such open partying on their ground.

Victor Osimhen scored the decisive goal in the second half as Napoli's current stars came back from trailing to Sandi Lovric's opener at half-time and emulated the teams led by Maradona which won the league in 1987 and 1990.

Napoli’s 33-year wait for the Scudetto is officially over.Here's Luciano Spalleti's journey to the #SerieA title.

?????? ????’?? ????????????????! ????????For the first time in 33 years, Napoli are ?????????????????? of Italy once again!?????? ?????? ???????? ?????? ????????.?????? ???????? ?????? ??????.?????? ???????? ?????? ???????? ????.Congratulations @sscnapoli, 2022/23… pic.twitter.com/bna3bFgxjQ

"To be compared to him, to be the captain after Maradona to lift the Scudetto, I just have no words," said skipper Giovanni Di Lorenzo.

"This isn't my title, it belongs to every player and the people who worked to make our dream come true."

Spalletti and his squad will receive an emotional welcome when they return to Naples, where the city-wide partying is set to continue to until at least their next home fixture against Fiorentina on Sunday evening.

"Seeing Neapolitans