Napoli brakes in Parma: McTominay not enough, Scudetto farther away for Conte

Napoli does not go beyond 1-1 in Parma in the 3 p.m. match of the 32nd day of Serie A. Surprised by Strefezza’s early goal, the Italian champions equalized with McTominay in the second half but wasted too much and failed to win the match at the Tardini.

The Gialloblu are still second in the standings at 66 points, but Inter tonight can stretch the lead to +9 and mortgage the Scudetto. Gialloblu 14th on 36 points.

Napoli were coldly hit in the first half at the Tardini: Parma went ahead immediately on 1′ with Strefezza. The Azzurri misdirected their approach and were careless on the throw in from the back, Elphege soaring a header for Strefezza, who with a flat right footer immediately beat Milinkovic. The serious defensive distraction infuriates Conte and provokes the immediate reaction of the Parthenopeans, who collect chances in a flurry without managing to score. Hojlund, Lobotka and De Bruyne searched for goals without success.

Parma tightened their lines and it became difficult for Napoli to find the right opening. On the counterattack also the ducals make themselves very insidious, first with Valeri, then with Nicolussi Caviglia. In the final part of the half the Italian champions have a great chance with Hojlund, closed down at the moment of the shot, but the Crusaders also come close to scoring with Delprato, favored by a risky exit of Milinkovic, who then somehow manages to stop him.

In the second half Conte’s move is the insertion of Beukema for a very nervous Juan Jesus. Politano gobbled up the equalizer at 53′, his conclusion high just a few meters from Suzuki’s goal. The equalizer came, however, in 60′: McTominay as a leader solved the situation with a great right-footed cross, on an action triggered by Lobotka and finished by Hojlund.

Napoli went on the assault in search of the victory, Alisson and Politano created dangers, the ducals under pressure gritted their teeth. At 75′ McTominay in a reverse committed Suzuki. Conte’s last cards are Gutierrez and Elmas, in for Politano and De Bruyne. Elmas himself has a great chance in the 84th minute but wastes from inside the area, shortly afterwards Suzuki is very good at repelling Alisson Santos’ conclusion. It ends here, for Napoli the bitter taste in the mouth remains.