Napoli fans have endured years of domestic struggles.

Their last Scudetto win was in the 1989-90 season, the legendary Diego Maradona the star of the team, propped up by a young Gianfranco Zola, bringing home their second Serie A title in four seasons. 

Since then, to say that Neapolitans have suffered would be an understatement. In the south of Italy, they’ve had to sit back and look up as both Milan clubs and in particular – Juventus flourished, dominating Italian football. 

However, 33 years later, It looks like this is finally the seaons Napoli supporters have been waiting for.

The city of Naples is known around the world for its colour, its emotion and passion, reflected in the people of the historic city – known in equal measure for their love of football and loyalty to their team. 

The city is simmering. Holding it’s breath. Waiting. Expecting. Praying. 

Lifelong Napoli fan, city resident and top photographer Andrea Ardolino tells Lower Block the city is ready to ‘explode!’ 

LB: With only a few games to go, what is the atmosphere like in the city right now?

AA: It feels strange, I have never experienced such a moment in my life. In the city people are in turmoil, they decorate the streets, the neighbourhoods are tinged with blue and there are many more tourists than usual. Waiting something for 33 years is an emotional boulder, and Naples is one of the most emotional cities in Italy. In these already mystical streets another factor has been added to move souls like the underground magma of Vesuvius this championship boils inside each of us and we are waiting for nothing but to explode!

LB: After 33 years, what will winning the Scudetto mean to Napoli supporters? 

AA: I am reminded of a scene from Fever Pitch that explains exactly what the victory of Naples means for the people of Naples: 

“Cause it quite clearly isn’t ‘only a game.’ I mean if it was do you honestly think I’d care this much? Eh? Eighteen years! Eight-teen years! Do you know what you wanted eighteen years ago? Or ten? Or five? Did you want to be Head of Year at North London Comprehensive, I doubt it.”

Here in Naples for us they are not 18 years but 33! Some of my friends weren’t even born, I was 1 years old, I only have some old photos where I am with my mother who dressed me in a blue scarf. We want so so much to live or to re-live that emotion, so much that you can’t even imagine.  

LB: Football clearly means so much to the people of Naples, doesn’t it…?

AA: I don’t know what football means to other people. But for me it was a foothold that I clung to in the sad moments of my life, in some moments of uncertainty the only sure thing in my life was Naples, going to the stadium with friends, moments of light-heartedness that I carry in my heart and that I still think about whenever I’m sad.

I’ve been following Napoli since I went to the stadium for the first time about 20 years ago. Usually the passion for a team is passed down from father to son but in my case since my father doesn’t care at all. I saw 60,000 people in the stadium free from any worries or difficulties of life and paying attention to only one thing.

LB: How has it felt to watch Juventus, AC Milan, and Inter be more successful over the past 30 years or so? 

AA: Winning against Milan, Inter and Juventus means a lot to us from Naples and southern Italy. Most of the championships won are in the north, between those 3 teams. Since the unification of Italy, economic power moved from the south to north at the behest of the conquerors of the kingdom of Naples and since then it has all been worsening for us both economically and socially. Winning does not change anything, not even a little but at least for once we can say that ‘we are the strongest!’

Check out Lower Block’s feature on Andrea’s pictures focusing on Napoli fan culture around the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona and Art of God, Alessandro Tione’s collection of Maradona murals around Naples. 

As things hot up in Naples, keep up with Andrea on Instagram or his Napoli Facebook page Spalti. 

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