Napoli Maintains Lead Despite Draw Against Parma
Napoli struck the woodwork twice and had a last-minute penalty overturned by VAR but still holds a one-point edge at the top of the Serie A table, thanks to Inter’s 2-2 draw with Lazio.
The Partenopei saw their lead reduced to just one point after a draw with Genoa, where midfielder Stanislav Lobotka aggravated an existing ankle injury. Key players Alessandro Buongiorno and Juan Jesus were unavailable, while David Neres was fit only for the bench. However, Scott McTominay returned to the lineup after overcoming a muscle issue.
Parma came into this match struggling, having earned only one point from their last three games, placing them just above the relegation zone. They were without Lautaro Valenti due to suspension and dealt with injuries to multiple players, including Alessandro Vogliacco and Matteo Cancellieri.
In the early stages, Matteo Politano tested Parma’s goalkeeper Zion Suzuki and had penalty claims denied when Delprato’s arm accidentally blocked his cross. Alex Meret had to stretch to tip a powerful shot from Simon Sohm over the bar, while Zambo Anguissa nearly scored with a stunning volley that hit the inside of the post after a clever flick.
Going into halftime, Napoli learned that Inter had taken the lead against Lazio, momentarily putting pressure on them in the title race. After the break, Napoli faced a scare when Sohm threatened again with a long-range shot that required an acrobatic save from Meret, while Giacomo Raspadori tested Suzuki from a difficult angle.
In the dying moments, news broke that Lazio had equalised against Inter, preserving Napoli’s spot at the top of the table. However, drama ensued as coach Antonio Conte was sent off after confronting Parma’s manager Cristian Chivu, and a late penalty was annulled after VAR review due to an earlier foul. Now it all comes down to the last round, with Conte facing a touchline ban for his actions.
