Serie A

NAPOLI are on the brink of a stunning Serie A title success with Scott McTominay at the very heart of it.And the passionate fans in Naples have shown how much they adore the Scotland star in an incredible moment last night.Napoli fans spotted Scott McTominay’s car at the airportCredit: Youtube @CalcioNapoli24TVThey rushed over desperate for a glimpse of their heroCredit: Youtube @CalcioNapoli24TVMcTominay was absolutely loving itCredit: Youtube @CalcioNapoli24TVMcTominay and Napoli are on the cusp of Serie A title gloryCredit: EPANapoli travelled to take on Parma last night knowing a win could potentially secure a second Serie A championship in three years.However, they were held to a 0-0 draw by the relegation-threatened outfit.It could have been a costly slip-up, but title rivals Inter Milan were ALSO held to a draw – 2-2 against Lazio – meaning it’s as you were heading into the final round of matches next weekend.With a one point lead, Napoli’s destiny is in their own hands and they know a win over Cagliari this coming Sunday will confirm them as champions.Inter, meanwhile, head to Como.With the title triumph on the brink of happening, Napoli fans are buoyant and starting to really, really believe.That was evident when a thousand fans headed to the airport in Naples late at night to welcome back their heroes.Footage shared by CalcioNapoli24 shows the incredible moment a large group of fans spotted McTominay in his car.Most read in FootballThe former Man Utd star’s black 4×4 quickly becomes surrounded both by fans on foot and some on motorcycles.Many of them are wearing Napoli gear.Napoli fan gets incredible Scott McTominay tattoo with permanent nod to Scotland hero’s bizarre new nicknameOne fan on a bike filmed the encounter, driving round to the driver’s side where McTominay was sat.Horns are blaring and several shouts of “Scott” can be heard.The footage shows several phones being pressed up against the window with fans desperate to get a picture of their new main man.Some also attempt to take a selfie.McTominay, it’s fair to say, is absolutely loving it.Extremely calm despite the chaos going on around him, the Scotland ace rolls down his window to greet the adoring fans.He has a big smile on his face as he applauds and waves to the fans.McTominay has been loving in life in Naples, both on the pitch and off of it.The city, too, has completely taken the 28-year old to heart.Read More on The SunA shrine – similar to the ones made in honour to the great Diego Maradona – has appeared in the centre of Naples, while other tributes include tattoos and pizzas.Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page More

SAMPDORIA will no longer be automatically relegated from Serie B – just four days after they were doomed to life in Italy’s third tier.The iconic club set European football alight in the late 80s and early 90s, culminating in Serie A glory in 1991.Sampdoria will no longer be automatically relegated from Serie B after being handed a shock lifelineCredit: GettyThe same period also saw Sampdoria clinch four Italian Cups and a European Cup Winners’ Cup thanks to the prowess of stars like Gianluca Vialli and Roberto Mancini.But their fortunes have since steadily declined, eventually resulting in a shock relegation to Serie B in 2023.However, the club has endured even more pain in the lower leagues.And just four days ago, Sampdoria fans’ worst fears were realised as they finished 18th to suffer automatic relegation to Serie C.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLYet in a shock twist, they have now been handed a dramatic lifeline.Fellow Serie B strugglers Brescia finished 15th this term, just two points ahead of Sampdoria.But they have now been deducted four points as a penalty for financial issues, sending them to 18th place instead.It means Sampdoria moved into 17th, and therefore have qualified for a relegation play-off against Salernitana, now in 16th.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSSampdoria take the place of Frosinone, who are the main beneficiaries of Bresca’s points deduction and have confirmed their survival with a 15th-place finish.But it gives Sampdoria a second bite of the cherry, with a two-legged tie now taking place to determine their fate.Eight of the greatest players to never win the Ballon d’Or despite their incredible careersIt is certainly an ending dramatic enough to match their disastrous season, which has seen four managers enter the dugout.Italy legend Andrea Pirlo was sacked in August after taking just one point from Sampdoria’s opening three games.Andrea Sottil and Leonardo Semplici were also given their marching orders, while Alberico Evani could now stay should the playoffs go his way.Sampdoria used an incredible 38 players this season, including five different goalkeepers.But they will be hoping star players like ex-Liverpool striker Fabio Borini and former England U21s ace Ronaldo Vieira can finally step up to the plate. More

FOR a few years they were the darlings of Italian and even European football.But now they are staring into the abyss of the lowest low in their history. Sampdoria suffered the worst day in their club’s history on TuesdayCredit: GettyThe club’s passionate fans have been let down by events on the field and in the boardroomCredit: GettyRoberto Mancini was the main man as Sampdoria enjoyed a trophy-laden few years in the 1980s and 1990sCredit: GettySampdoria enjoyed their best years in the late 1980s and early 1990s – spearheaded by their record goalscorer and appearance-maker Roberto Mancini plus Gianluca Vialli chipping in, too. During that time, they won all four of their Coppa Italia crowns and were European Cup Winners’ Cup winners in 1990.The club’s solo Serie A title followed a year later.In 1991-92, they reached the European Cup final, losing 1-0 to Barcelona at Wembley.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLSampdoria finished no lower than seventh in Serie A for eight straight seasons between 1986-87 and 1993-94.Even by 1998, their worst season was ninth before suffering relegation in 1998-99.Four years in Serie B followed then by 18 of the next 19 back in the top flight. But after relegation in 2022-23, Sampdoria have suffered a nightmare season – and were relegated again on Tuesday.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSAnd it means the iconic club will drop into the third-tier Serie C for the very first time in their 78 years in existence next term. A 0-0 draw at Juve Stabia in their final game of the season confirmed that Sampdoria ended the campaign 18th in Serie B.Their tally of 41 points was only four fewer than 11th-placed Modena.But the season was, in truth, a mess.Sampdoria used 38 players in Serie B this term.And that includes a staggering FIVE different goalkeepers across the wretched campaign. There has been no consistency in the dugout, either, with Sampdoria going through four managers, too.MANAGERIAL MERRY-GO-ROUNDIt started with Andrea Pirlo who was sacked in August after picking up one point from the first three second-division fixtures. Andrea Sottil lasted until October, Leonardo Semplici was pelted with rocks and flares and forced out in March when Alberico Evani came in for the final few weeks but was unable to turn the sinking ship around. Poor recruitment at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris also played its part, with no fewer than 16 players brought in on loan. This season’s squad featured ex-Liverpool striker Fabio Borini, former AC Milan man M’Baye Niang and former Manchester United assistant manager Rene Meulensteen’s son Melle.Meanwhile, the brilliantly-named Ronaldo Vieira was unable to channel the quality or leadership of his namesakes.Read More on The SunInstead, defender Alex Ferrari and his team-mates are racing at speed down to the third tier in embarrassing fashion, having let down the typically passionate partisan fans. And to rub it in even more, arch-rival Genoa revelled in their enemy’s struggles by setting off fireworks and celebrating the relegation in the streets – payback revenge for Sampdoria’s own gloating three years ago.Andrea Pirlo was sacked after three league matches in AugustCredit: GettyThe players hid their faces as the 0-0 draw sent them into Serie CCredit: Shutterstock EditorialThey were barely consolable when relegation was confirmedCredit: Shutterstock EditorialThe squad includes Fabio Borini and Melle MeulensteenCredit: Shutterstock EditorialAlberico Evani was their fourth manager of a horror campaign seasonCredit: Getty More