Napoli’s wait for their first Serie A title in 33 years will continue after they were held to a draw by Salernitana at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
The club’s last league victory came in 1990 with a Diego Maradona-inspired team, which added to their first title in 1987.
Despite being on course for a much-needed win after Mathias Olivera’s 62nd-minute goal, Boulaye Dia’s equaliser six minutes from time silenced the expectant crowd, who had set off blue smoke flares inside and outside the stadium.
Nevertheless, Luciano Spalletti’s team is almost guaranteed to win the title with only two points needed from their final six games.
This achievement will mark Napoli’s first Serie A crown without talisman Maradona, as they have only won five Italian Cups in the 89 years that he has been absent from the club.
Napoli’s next opportunity to secure the title will be when they face Udinese on Thursday (19:45 BST). However, they could potentially clinch the championship before then if results go their way.
Lazio, who are 18 points behind Napoli, must beat Sassuolo on Wednesday (20:00 BST) to keep their slim hopes of overtaking Napoli alive.
Meanwhile, Juventus, who are 20 points behind Napoli in third place, must win later on Sunday (19:45 BST) and on Wednesday to have any chance of catching up.
Napoli were given the opportunity to secure the title with six games remaining after Lazio lost 3-1 to Inter Milan earlier on Sunday.
Inter’s comeback was inspired by Argentina forward Lautaro Martinez, who came off the bench to score two goals after Inter had fallen behind 1-0.