Pictures: Carnival atmosphere for Napoli Serie A decider: ‘The coach is fired up’ | OneFootball

Mathias Olivera insists that Antonio Conte is ‘fired up, like everyone’ as Napoli arrive to a carnival atmosphere ahead of their Serie A title decider against Cagliari on Friday night.

Napoli are one point ahead of Inter at the top of the Serie A standings heading into the final weekend of the season. The Partenopei will host Cagliari at the Maradona, while the Nerazzurri take on Como away from home, both kicking off at 19.45 BST on Friday night.

You can follow the action from both games on the Football Italia Liveblog.

Carnival atmosphere for Napoli’s Serie A title decider

Napoli supporters lined the streets to give their players a push on their way into the Stadio Maradona.

NAPLES, ITALY – MAY 23: Fans release flares outside the stadium ahead of the Serie A match between Napoli and Cagliari at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on May 23, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

Napoli will claim their second Serie A title in three years if they claim victory over Cagliari on Friday night. They had not won the top-flight title in over 30 years, since the days of Diego Maradona prior to the 2022-23 campaign.

“We saw all the people and the passion and love that is out there. We’ve got to win to repay all these fans,” Napoli defender Olivera told DAZN ahead of kick-off.

NAPLES, ITALY – MAY 23: Fans gather outside the stadium prior to the Serie A match between Napoli and Cagliari at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on May 23, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

“It’s incredible, but all that matters today is winning, not who scores the goal. We just hope it all goes well.”

NAPLES, ITALY – MAY 23: Supporters on board a car with the image of SS Lazio’s Pedro celebrate for the possible Scudetto victory ahead the Serie A match between Napoli and Cagliari at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on May 23, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Ivan Romano/Getty Images)

Antonio Conte will have to watch from the stands, as he sits out a one-match touchline ban, so Cristian Stellini will be on the bench this evening.

“The coach is fired up, like everyone. We’ve got to keep doing the work we’ve done since the start of the season, it will be a tough game, but we have to win for all these people.”