Roma v Napoli: title clashes, rivalry and 1980s tension | OneFootball

The clash between Roma and Napoli, scheduled for Sunday at the Olimpico, is not just a top-tier fixture: it’s a dive into the history of Italian football.

Roma-Napoli, title-deciding clashes: rivalries, champions, and tensions that marked the 1980s

Over the last forty-five years, these two teams have often crossed paths at decisive moments in the race for the scudetto, especially during that unrepeatable decade that was the 1980s.

1980-81: the first spectacular duel

Roma–Napoli 1-1, March 8, 1981

It’s the twentieth matchday. Roma, Napoli, and Juventus are separated by just a few points, engaged in a head-to-head battle decided only on the final day. At the Olimpico, the Giallorossi take the lead with Pruzzo, the Azzurri respond with Speggiorin.

Nils Liedholm’s tactical move is the detail that remains in memory: “Man-marking Ruud Krol with center-forward Pruzzo,” an unusual choice to limit Napoli’s main playmaker.

1982-83: dominant Roma, Napoli in crisis

Roma–Napoli 5-2, February 20, 1983

This is the year of Roma’s second scudetto. Napoli is going through a tough period and entrusts the bench to Bruno Pesaola, who surprises everyone by fielding three forwards and an attacking midfielder.

The Azzurri take the lead with Diaz, but Roma—featuring Falcao, Conti, Ancelotti, Pruzzo, and Vierchowod—turns it around and then runs riot. A 5-2 scoreline that captures the difference in quality between the two teams at that time.

1985-86: Roma fighting for the title, Maradona’s Napoli struggling

Roma–Napoli 2-0, January 26, 1986

With Sven-Göran Eriksson on the bench, Roma enjoys a starring season. Vertical football, a lone striker (Pruzzo), and constant runs from behind. They win with goals from Gerolin and Boniek, while Bianchi and Maradona’s Napoli, still a work in progress, struggles. However, the Giallorossi’s title dream will fade in Lecce a few months later.

1986-87: the year of Napoli’s first scudetto

Roma–Napoli 0-1, October 26, 1986

This is the legendary season of Napoli’s first league title. The match at the Olimpico is decided by the trademark move of that year: assist from Bruno Giordano, control by Maradona, and a goal that stuns Tancredi.

One of the key moments on the path that would lead the Azzurri to the title.

1987-88: Napoli as reigning champions and Roma in difficulty

Roma–Napoli 1-1, October 25, 1987

Napoli wears the scudetto on their chest and boasts a top-class reinforcement: Careca. Roma, although back under Liedholm, no longer has the impact of previous years. Pruzzo opens the scoring, then the Azzurri are reduced to nine men after the expulsions of Renica and Careca. Yet they find the equalizer with Francini.

During the week, as the players recount, Ottavio Bianchi had prepared specific situations to face numerical emergencies: a testament to the organization of a coach often underrated. The title, however, would slip away at the end of the season.

1989-90: Maradona’s last scudetto

Roma–Napoli 1-1, October 8, 1989

The match is played at the Flaminio, with the Olimpico under renovation for Italia ’90. Radice’s Roma scores with Comi, then Bigon’s Napoli, a team both physical and technical, finds the equalizer with a penalty converted by Maradona.

The Azzurri would then go on to win their second scudetto, the last great joy of the Pibe de Oro era.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.