Napoli missed their golden chance of winning the Serie A today after a frustrating 0-0 draw against a resolute Parma side, who defied the odds to earn a hard-fought point despite being dominated in nearly every statistical category.
From the outset, Napoli dictated the pace of the match, enjoying an overwhelming 73% possession and completing 528 passes to Parma’s modest 205. The visitors looked slick and composed, boasting an impressive 86% pass accuracy compared to Parma’s 62%. Yet, for all their control and ball movement, the Neapolitans were left ruing their lack of cutting edge in the final third.
Parma, by contrast, played a more pragmatic and disciplined game. They managed just six shots, four of which were on target — more than Napoli’s two. Despite having only 27% of the ball, Christian Chivu’s men remained organised and focused, repeatedly thwarting Napoli’s advances and frustrating their attackers.
The match, at times scrappy, saw a total of 29 fouls shared between the two sides — 13 by Parma and 16 from Napoli — indicating the physical nature of the encounter. Both teams also picked up two yellow cards apiece, but the match never threatened to boil over into anything beyond a battle of wills and stamina.
Napoli did enjoy territorial superiority and seemed on the verge of finding a breakthrough several times but lacked the incisiveness to convert possession into genuine scoring opportunities. Their final ball was often found wanting, and when they did carve out chances, Parma goalkeeper and defenders were quick to shut the door.
The result leaves Napoli on top of the table by a single point ahead of Inter, while Parma can take great pride in a dogged performance that showcased defensive grit and a strong collective effort. It’s a result that typifies the unpredictability of Serie A, where even the giants can be brought to a halt by tactical discipline and determination.
Final Score: Parma 0 – 0 Napoli