Buongiorno: ‘Nobody expected Napoli victory, but need one final sprint’ | OneFootball

Alessandro Buongiorno admits ‘nobody expected’ Napoli to be top of the table with one round to go, but now they ‘need one final sprint’ for the Scudetto, hoping he can play on Friday.

The Partenopei were held to a 0-0 draw by Parma on Sunday, but because Inter were also pegged back 2-2 by Lazio in a thriller at San Siro, it means their lead remains intact at one Serie A point.

Because the Scudetto is still up in the air, their final games will be played simultaneously, so Como vs. Inter and Napoli vs. Cagliari are both on Friday at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT, 20.45 CET).

Buongiorno amazed by Napoli progress

ROME, ITALY – FEBRUARY 15: Giacomo Raspadori of Napoli celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammate Alessandro Buongiorno during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and Napoli at Stadio Olimpico on February 15, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

“Serie A has shown us that there are no easy games, especially away from home,” Buongiorno told Radio CRC of the goalless draw at the Stadio Tardini.

“We could’ve done more in attack, but Inter were also held by Parma a few weeks ago, so that means something. Now it is up to us to prove what we are capable of, we must always think positive and not let this opportunity slip through our grasp.”

Antonio Conte has repeatedly stated that Napoli’s objective was merely to qualify for Europe, at best to get into the top four and enter the Champions League, so challenging for the Scudetto was not part of the plan.

“We’re a great squad, we said that from the first day, creating a sense of unity that is fundamental to aim for big objectives. Having said that, nobody expected this,” continued Buongiorno.

“We’ve been up there all year, now we need one final sprint to put the icing on this great season.”

Napoli on the verge of greatness

PARMA, ITALY – MAY 18: Antonio Conte, Head Coach of Napoli, reacts during the Serie A match between Parma and Napoli at Stadio Ennio Tardini on May 18, 2025 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Buongiorno has been struggling with injury problems for much of the campaign and missed the trip to Parma, so he remains a major doubt for the final match at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

“I feel better day after day. I’m giving my all to recover in time for Friday’s match against Cagliari, so we’ll see how it goes,” concluded the former Torino defender.

“We will feel the passion of the 50,000 fans at the Stadio Maradona to push us on.”