Napoli’s aspirations to clinch the Serie A title on Sunday, May 18, 2025, were deferred as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Parma. With second-placed Inter Milan also drawing 2-2 against Lazio in a concurrently played fixture, the Italian championship will now be decided on the final weekend of the season, with Napoli maintaining a one-point lead.
A victory for Napoli at Parma would have secured them the Scudetto, provided Inter Milan had lost to Lazio. However, Napoli were unable to find a breakthrough despite creating several notable chances. Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa came closest in the first half when his volley struck the post. In the second period, a cross from Matteo Politano grazed the top of the Parma crossbar, and Scott McTominay saw a well-struck free-kick brilliantly saved by Parma goalkeeper Zion Suzuki.
The match concluded with considerable drama. News of Lazio’s late 90th-minute equaliser against Inter Milan briefly buoyed Napoli, as it maintained their advantage in the title race. However, emotions flared on the touchline shortly thereafter, resulting in both Napoli manager Antonio Conte and his Parma counterpart Cristian Chivu being shown red cards following an apparent heated exchange. Conte will consequently be suspended for Napoli’s final, decisive match of the season.
Further tension arose deep into stoppage time when Napoli were initially awarded a penalty after David Neres was brought down by Parma’s Mathias Fjortoft Lovik. However, following a lengthy VAR review, the decision was overturned due to an earlier foul committed by Napoli in the attacking phase.
Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret acknowledged the tumultuous end to the game. “The last minutes were a rollercoaster,” he told reporters. “I saw the bench with sad faces, then luckily Lazio equalised and we tried until the end to take the lead. We know how to endure and fight, and we must remember where we started from, which should fill us with pride.”
Looking ahead to the final round, Meret added, “There are tough opponents, like Inter, who are having an excellent season, but we must give ourselves credit and we have been good at not giving up. Now there is one last match to face, and we will be ready.”
Napoli, currently on 79 points, will host Cagliari in their final fixture next Sunday, while Inter Milan, on 78 points, will travel to face an in-form Como. If the two teams finish the season level on points, the Serie A title will be decided by a playoff.
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