Milan’s late collapse against Roma means that Napoli are crowned Winter Champions of Serie A with two rounds to spare.
The Partenopei ended Week 17 with a seven-point advantage over Milan and Juventus, who are together in joint second place.
As there are two more rounds to be played before reaching the midway stage of the season, Napoli cannot be caught in that time.
They have suffered only one Serie A defeat all season, last week’s 1-0 result away to Inter, along with 14 victories and two draws.
Milan could’ve closed the gap, but fumbled a 2-0 lead at San Siro to draw 2-2 with Roma in stoppages this evening.
On 44 points after 17 rounds, in theory Napoli would reach 98 points if they continued at this tempo to the end of the campaign.
Although considered traditionally a pointer for the eventual Scudetto winner, the Winter Champion does not always end up lifting the title.
In fact, in the last two seasons it went to their rivals, as Milan had the midway crown in 2020-21 only to lose the title to Inter.
Last term, they did it the other way round, with Inter top halfway through and eventually the Rossoneri taking the Scudetto.
The last two times Napoli were Winter Champions were under Maurizio Sarri, in 2017-18 and 2015-16, but in both seasons it was Juventus who went on to take the Scudetto.
Well done to them. Well deserved as they play the best football.