Napoli have won just two Serie A titles throughout their history and never without Diego Maradona. So, in anticipation of their first scudetto since 1989/90, fans in the Southern Italian city are already preparing for the festivities once the season ends.
The Partenopei are 14 points clear of second-placed Lazio in the table, and they could mathematically secure the scudetto on May 7 if they win their next four Serie A fixtures including their Matchday 34 game with Fiorentina. That is without a Lazio slip in the meantime.
Given the extent of the festivities when Napoli won their previous two Serie A titles, a number of important personnel from the city of Naples and Partenopei president Aurelio De Laurentiis went to Rome to discuss security matters when the population start congregating in public.
Security plan in place for Napoli scudetto celebrations
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, De Laurentiis attended a summit at the Palazzo del Viminale in April with the Minister of the Interior Matteo Piantedosi, the heads of the police forces of Rome and Naples, the mayor of Naples Gaetano Manfredi, the prefect of Naples Claudio Palomba, and the quaestor of Naples Alessandro Giuliano.
With the Partenopei edging closer to the Serie A title, they discussed a security plan to ensure public order when the Partenopei fans commence their euphoric celebrations. Instead of having hundreds of thousands of Neapolitans partying on the streets, the intention is to have the scudetto celebrations in designated areas.
Napoli celebrations to start at the Stadio Maradona
After the 2022/23 Serie A season has ended, Napoli will start their scudetto celebrations at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona and then move to another public place, most likely the Piazza del Plebiscito in the historical centre of the city.
Other potential places for mass festivities include the Piazza Mercato, which is also in the city centre, the Piazza Ciro Esposito in the quarter of Scampia, and the former NATO base in Bagnoli.
The intention is to have fewer people right in the centre of the city and to limit the traffic on the roads during this time. There is also a plan to increase public transport in the city for the celebrations.
Napoli have never won the Serie A title without Maradona
Since Napoli were originally formed in 1926, the Southern Italian club have been crowned champions of Italy on two occasions, and the Argentinian legend Diego Maradona was instrumental in both campaigns.
The Partenopei won their first Serie A title in 1986/87, finishing three points ahead of Juventus, and they completed a domestic double by defeating Atalanta in the Coppa Italia Final over two legs. Maradona scored the most Serie A goals for the side, finding the back of the net 10 times.
When the Neapolitans won it for the second time in 1989/90, they finished two points ahead of AC Milan, and the diminutive Argentine scored 16 goals in that league campaign. He never saw the Southern Italians win another title as he passed away in 2020.
It will be a season of firsts for those involved at Napoli including their coach Luciano Spalletti. After winning two league titles in Russia with Zenit St. Petersburg, he is coming close to finally winning a Serie A title after missing out multiple times with AS Roma.
