Napoli 2-0 Sampdoria: Spalletti signs off with victory

Victor Osimhen reached another milestone as Napoli concluded their Scudetto-winning campaign with a 2-0 victory over Serie A's bottom side Sampdoria.

Osimhen sealed the Capocannoniere with his second-half penalty taking his tally for the Serie A campaign to 26 goals, while it was also his 50th overall in the competition.

Substitute Giovanni Simeone's wonderful individual effort secured victory as the Partenopei lifted the Serie A trophy at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, where Luciano Spalletti was overseeing his final match in charge before taking a year-long sabbatical.

The Partenopei finished their memorable season on 90 points, their second-highest tally in Serie A — having collected one more under Maurizio Sarri five years ago.

Napoli created the first opportunity inside three minutes when Khvicha Kvaratskhelia fed Piotr Zielinski, who fired over from a tight angle.

At the other end, two former Partenopei players almost combined to thwart their old club, but Fabio Quagliarella squandered a great opportunity by heading Manolo Gabbiadini's inviting cross wide from inside the six yard box.

Koray Gunter produced a wonderful last-ditch intervention to deny Eljif Elmas a clear sight on goal after Osimhen had neatly cushioned a lofted ball into his team-mate's path.

Sampdoria went close after the break when substitute Lorenzo Malagrida shot straight at Alex Meret but the hosts broke through in the 64th minute.

After Nicola Murru brought him down in the penalty area, Osimhen picked himself up and confidently swept the spot-kick into the bottom-right corner.

Martin Turk denied Frank Anguissa and Gianluca Gaetano with smart reflex saves, but was helpless when Simeone arrowed a stunning 25-yard effort into the top corner to seal the points five minutes from time.

What does it mean? Spalletti farewell ends with another Sampdoria win

After lifting the trophy and enjoying the celebrations, Spalletti can look forward to his well-earned sabbatical having ended Napoli’s 33-year Scudetto drought.

The Partenopei also extended their winning streak over Sampdoria to nine matches, only enjoying a longer such run against SPAL in Serie A (11).

Osimhen joins Europe's elite in 2023

As well as reaching half a century in Serie A, Osimhen's penalty also represented his 17th league goal in 2023.

Equalling Harry Kane and Alexandre Lacazette, no player has bettered that tally in the top five European leagues.

Simeone seals it

The substitute had been on the field just eight minutes when he wrapped up the points with a superb long-range strike.

Simeone also ended his goal drought in sublime fashion, having last found the net in Napoli's 2-1 win over Roma at the end of January.

Key Opta facts:

- Napoli scored 105 goals this season, only in 2015-16 (106) and 2016-17 (115) have they managed more in their history across all competitions.

- Napoli conceded 38 goals this season, the fewest they have shipped in all competitions since their return to Serie A in 2007-08.

- Sampdoria equalled the record for the fewest goals scored in a 20-team Serie A season after managing just 24 (also Treviso in 2005-06 and Cesena in 2011-12).

- Simeone scored a goal from outside the box in Serie A for the first time since December 5, 2021 against Venezia.

- Osimhen hit the 50-goal mark in Serie A with his penalty, while he has scored five goals in four matches against Sampdoria in the league.

What's next?

With Spalletti’s impending departure, Napoli must look for a new coach during the close season as well as battling to keep their star players. Meanwhile, Serie B awaits for Sampdoria.