Parma frustrate Napoli with a disciplined defensive display, earning a crucial goalless draw as Conte’s side drop points again at home.
Napoli were held to a 0-0 draw by Parma at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, failing to build on their impressive performance at San Siro and dropping points at home for the second time in a week. After Verona, it was again the visitors who walked away with a result that could prove decisive—both in Parma’s survival battle and in Napoli’s increasingly complicated Scudetto race.
The hosts dominated possession and territory, but struggled to convert pressure into clear-cut chances. Scott McTominay was the only Napoli player to consistently threaten, even finding the net early on, only for his goal to be ruled out due to a marginal offside involving Mazzocchi. From that moment on, Napoli ran into a brick wall named Rinaldi.
Starting unexpectedly ahead of regular goalkeeper Corvi, Rinaldi delivered an outstanding performance, repeatedly denying McTominay and standing firm under sustained pressure. In front of him, Troilo was immense, keeping Rasmus Højlund quiet and leading a Parma back line that was compact, organized, and tactically disciplined under coach Cuesta.
Antonio Conte’s side lacked sharpness in the final third, with limited creativity and a noticeable physical drop late in the match. The situation worsened when David Neres, introduced in the second half to inject pace and unpredictability, was forced off again in the final minutes due to recurring ankle problems.
Despite Napoli’s late push, Parma held on with maturity and composure, securing a vital point. For the champions of Italy, however, the draw could have serious consequences, as Inter now risk pulling further clear at the top of the table.
Match Report: Napoli 0-0 Parma
Napoli (3-4-2-1):
Milinković-Savić; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Buongiorno; Mazzocchi (Neres 58’, Lucca 90’), Lobotka, McTominay, Olivera (Spinazzola 58’); Politano (Vergara 78’), Lang (Elmas 58’); Højlund.
Coach: Conte
Parma (3-5-1-1):
Rinaldi; Circati, Troilo (Delprato 69’), Valenti; Britschgi, Keita, Estévez, Sørensen (Valeri 46’), Ordóñez (Benedyczak 90’); Ondrejka (Bernabé 59’); Cutrone (Pellegrino 59’).
Coach: Cuesta
Referee: Fabbri
Yellow cards: Troilo (Parma), Britschgi (Parma), Neres (Napoli)
Red cards: None
