Napoli's hopes of securing the Serie A title on Sunday (May 18) had to be put on ice after they were held to a 0-0 draw at Parma, leaving the title race to be decided on the final day of the season next weekend. With second-placed Inter Milan also playing out a 2-2 draw against Lazio in a simultaneous kickoff, Napoli will head into their final match against Cagliari with a one-point advantage. A win for Napoli on Sunday would have secured them the title if Inter had lost to Lazio.
Napoli are one win away from clinching a fourth Serie A title in their history despite playing out a goalless draw at relegation-threatened Parma.
Antonio Conte's visitors began and ended the evening one point clear of title challengers Inter Milan, as the reigning champions missed the chance to leapfrog Napoli by drawing 2-2 with Lazio.
The build-up to the game was all about Napoli's quest to win a fourth Scudetto, but it was Parma who threatened in the early stages.
Cristian Chivu's side – who began the day only four points above the relegation zone – caused Napoli problems through striker Ange-Yoan Bonny, who proved a handful for visiting defenders Giovanni di Lorenzo and Amir Rrahmani.
Napoli gained composure and dominated possession, but lacked the final touch to beat Parma goalkeeper Zion Suzuki.
Andre-Frank Anguissa came closest to breaking the deadlock late in the first half, but his stunning acrobatic effort after flicking the ball over the head of defender Giovanni Leoni bounced back out off the post.
Parma midfielder Simon Sohm forced Alex Meret into a smart stop with vicious strike shortly before the break, as he did with a long-range drive less than a minute into the second half.
Scott McTominay almost turned a quiet performance into a match-winning one, but he could only watch as Suzuki brilliantly tipped his bending free-kick on to the crossbar.
Napoli fans inside Parma's Stadio Ennio Tardini started celebrating when word of Lazio's equaliser in Milan filtered through, but they went quiet when Inter retook the lead eight minutes later.
Their joy was restored when Lazio drew level for a second time, and Napoli were awarded a penalty in the 96th minute for a foul on David Neres, but the spot-kick was ruled out by the video assistant referee (VAR) for a foul in the build-up.
Despite drawing their past two games, Napoli will win the Scudetto if they beat Cagliari on the final day.
They will have to do so without manager Conte, who was sent off during the closing stages in Parma.
However, if Napoli draw or lose then an Inter victory against Como would mean the Coppa Campioni d'Italia remains at the San Siro Stadium.
