The stage is set for the Napoli Scudetto celebrations, but people seem to be forgetting that Lazio and Salernitana are more than mere potential party poopers, warns Susy Campanale.
The city has been waiting 33 years to celebrate another Serie A title, the first since the Diego Armando Maradona days, and they have the chance to do it in a stadium named in his honour. Postponing the match with Salernitana until after the Inter-Lazio result is confirmed does make a certain amount of sense, but it is also taking an awful lot for granted in a season that has often done the opposite of what was expected. We all want to wish Napoli well and enjoy the party, but the assumption Lazio and Salernitana will simply get out of the way is downright rude.
Napoli could mathematically seal the Scudetto tomorrow, but only if Lazio drop points against Inter and the Partenopei beat Salernitana. Neither of those results are to be taken for granted. Maurizio Sarri might be a Napoli legend, but his team is after all in second place in the Serie A standings and one of the only sides able to beat Napoli this season. There is plenty for them to play for, as the race for the top four will go down to the wire, so acting as if they have zero chance at San Siro is only going to add further motivation. Inter played midweek in the Coppa Italia semi-final with Juventus, they’ll be resting players and have others fatigued, so a Biancocelesti victory here is entirely possible.
Salernitana have even more reason to be irritated, as their supporters were forced to move the match at short notice by 24 hours, local rivals given the role of punching bags to then stand by and watch the party. If we look at their recent results, that is a huge stretch to just assume Paulo Sousa’s men will bow down to the Stadio Maradona parade. They are unbeaten in eight Serie A rounds, stretching back to late February, including 3-0 victories over Monza and Sassuolo.
It would not be at all surprising if Salernitana emerged from here with a point, seeing as they’ve shared the spoils with Milan and Inter during that positive streak. They make themselves tough to break down and then refuse to give in when going behind, all of which could ruin the party in Naples.
I am not saying that Lazio and Salernitana will certainly get results tomorrow, but the assumption that they won’t is at best a stretch and at worst insulting. Don’t pop those spumante corks yet.
Twitter: @SusyCampanale