Napoli’s Parma Draw Hands Inter Title Lifeline

Napoli’s Serie A title defence took a hit with a 1-1 draw at Parma on Sunday, handing leaders Inter Milan the chance to stretch their advantage to nine points.

Scott McTominay’s drilled equaliser on the hour earned Napoli a point that may prove insufficient in their bid for a third Scudetto in four seasons.

Trailing Inter by six points, Conte’s side now face a widening gap, pending the Milan giants’ late clash with Champions League-chasing Como.

Parma stunned the champions inside 36 seconds, as Gabriel Strefezza latched onto Nesta Elphegege’s flick-on and curled in a beauty. Napoli dominated possession thereafter but struggled to pierce the hosts’ deep block, denying them a sixth straight league win.

Last weekend’s victory over AC Milan had revived title hopes, but this Stadio Ennio Tardini stalemate—with six matches left—has dimmed them.

“I told the boys there’s a very thin line between winners and losers,” said Conte. “Conceding after 30 seconds made an already tough game against a deep-lying team even harder. They put up the barricades and hit us on the counter—I can’t fault our desire or commitment.”