‘Memo’ Ochoa ruined the Napoli party and still can’t shout champion: 1-1 against Salernitana

When everything was ready for a massive party, when the game was headed for the victory of the absolute leader of Serie A, Salernitana (1-1) appeared to postpone the celebration of a ‘Scudetto’ that is already historic, but that will have What to expect to travel to Naples.

The long wait of 33 years will have to be extended a few more days. What began as a day of celebration in Naples with the victory of Inter Milan that enabled the accounts and which continued with Olivera’s goal, turned into a cold, scruffy afternoon because of Boulaye Dia, who will not prevent Naples from lifting the title , but that it does postpone the minimum celebration, until Thursday, in the Udinese field.

The start of the game lived up to what was expected in Naples. With a full Diego Armando Maradona, who was looking forward to victory, Napoli came out without speculating, as always during the season, but this time with contagious energy, in keeping with the general atmosphere in a city devoted to their team.

Osimhen was the main danger for Spalletti’s men. And it is that the striker had to fight with up to three defenders who tried to stop him, but could not prevent him from finishing Lozano’s precise crosses on the right wing, in what was the main resource of the locals and the fastest way in the First half.

The problem of Naples, owner and lord of the party, was under the sticks of Salernitana. And it is that the Mexican ‘Memo’ Ochoa was once again key for his team, in the umpteenth demonstration since he arrived in January that he is the goalkeeper through whom salvation passes in Salerno, saving on two occasions the headbutts of the Nigerian striker, untied.

The overwhelming control of a Napoli eager to unblock the game of their lives led to a second half that followed the same script as the first, in absolute dominance that did not seem to undermine the confidence of a crowd devoted to their team.

A shot from the ground from Anguissa and a Chilean from Zienlinski livened up the pace of the match, casting doubt on a solid defense from Salernitana who fully set out to delay as long as possible an inevitable party in Naples.

But it was only a matter of time. It was impossible for the Salernitana wall to resist all the push of a city, the push of eleven warriors who went out onto the field with one goal in mind and did not stop until they achieved it in the 62nd minute.

And the protagonist this time was unexpected. Like any beautiful story with a happy ending, it had its unexpected script twist and when everyone had bet on Osimhen or ‘Kvaratskhelia’, it was Mathías Olivera who scored everyone’s goal. He was the one who had the honor of delivering the final blow to make history with a header from an unappealable corner kick, he was the one who took advantage of the opportunity to start after the injury to Mario Rui, who would have been a sure starter if he could have, and that he was one step away from going down in history as a protagonist.

But glory escaped Napoli’s hands when a few minutes from the end, in an almost tragic end to the match for those present because when everyone was celebrating the victory and the championship, Boulaye Dia ruined the party with a direct shot to the squad that silenced an entire city.

Spalletti’s team tried in every way, but could not bring down Ochoa’s wall again. Desperate Osimhen couldn’t believe it. It was the frustration of an entire stadium, of an entire city that was soured on the perfect day. Napoli will be the champion, that’s for sure, but it will have to wait.

With information from EFE.