Napoli’s hopes of mounting a successful Serie A title defense took another hit on January 14, 2026, as they were frustrated by a determined Parma side in a goalless draw at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. For the third consecutive league match, Napoli was held to a stalemate, a result that leaves them third in the standings with 40 points—level with AC Milan, who are set to play Como the following day, and three points adrift of league leaders Inter Milan, who hosted Lecce later that evening.
The tension was palpable in Naples as the home fans expected a statement performance from their side after back-to-back 2-2 draws against Hellas Verona and Inter Milan. Instead, they witnessed another evening of missed opportunities and resolute defending from the visitors, who sit 14th in the table on 22 points. Parma’s defensive discipline and the heroics of debutant goalkeeper Filippo Rinaldi proved decisive in denying the reigning champions a much-needed win.
Napoli started brightly, seeking to impose themselves early. The first real chance came to Scott McTominay, fresh from his brace against Inter. Latching onto a clever through ball from captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo, McTominay unleashed a half-volley that was deflected into the side netting—a sign of the attacking intent Napoli would maintain throughout the first half. Moments later, the stadium erupted as McTominay found the back of the net, only for the celebrations to be cut short when VAR intervened, disallowing the goal for offside against Pasquale Mazzocchi in the build-up. The sense of frustration was palpable both on the pitch and in the stands.
Parma, for their part, were content to soak up pressure and strike on the counter. Their approach was epitomized by Filippo Rinaldi, who was making his Serie A debut between the posts. The 21-year-old shot-stopper was called into action repeatedly, most notably pulling off a stunning point-blank save to deny Alessandro Buongiorno’s powerful header after Noa Lang’s deft cross from a short corner. Rinaldi’s agility and composure belied his inexperience, and he would go on to make several more crucial interventions as the match progressed.
Napoli’s attacking trio of Rasmus Hojlund, Noa Lang, and Matteo Politano tried to break the deadlock with a series of intricate moves and probing runs. Hojlund, in particular, had a golden opportunity early in the second half when Rinaldi spilled the ball following a collision with his own defender. But the Danish striker hesitated just long enough for Parma’s defense to recover and clear the danger, much to the dismay of the home supporters.
Manager Francesco Calzona opted for a triple substitution before the hour mark, introducing Leonardo Spinazzola, Eljif Elmas, and David Neres in search of fresh impetus. Yet, despite the injection of energy, Parma’s back line—marshalled by Lautaro Valenti and Alessandro Circati—remained impenetrable. Napoli’s attacks became increasingly frantic, with shots from McTominay and Stanislav Lobotka failing to seriously trouble Rinaldi. The Parma keeper, sensing the urgency, was eventually booked for time-wasting as the visitors looked to preserve their hard-earned point.
The closing stages saw Napoli throw everything forward. Eljif Elmas had a header blocked from close range, while Amir Rrahmani’s long-range efforts were also stifled by a wall of yellow shirts. Substitute Lorenzo Lucca fired wide with the goal at his mercy, and Di Lorenzo’s late header soared over the bar, summing up a night of near-misses for the champions. Even with five minutes of added time announced by the fourth official, the breakthrough proved elusive.
The match was not without its share of drama. The VAR decision to overturn McTominay’s goal in the first half was a pivotal moment, and both sides saw players cautioned in a contest that featured its fair share of robust challenges. Napoli’s David Neres and Parma’s Sascha Britschgi and Mariano Troilo were among those shown yellow cards as tempers flared in the tense closing minutes.
Parma’s substitutions were forced in part by injury, with Adrian Benedyczak and Enrico Delprato coming on, while Napoli introduced Antonio Vergara and Lorenzo Lucca in a bid to find a late winner. Despite the tactical tweaks and relentless pressure, the match report confirms that neither side could find a decisive moment, and the contest ended as it began—locked at 0-0.
“We created enough chances to win, but sometimes the ball just doesn’t want to go in,” Napoli captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo reflected after the match, according to post-game sources. “Their goalkeeper had an incredible debut, and we have to give credit to Parma for their organization.”
For Parma, the draw represents a hard-earned point in their battle to climb the table. Filippo Rinaldi’s performance will surely give coach Fabio Pecchia food for thought as the season progresses. “I’m just happy to help the team,” Rinaldi said after the match. “It’s a dream to play in Serie A, and to keep a clean sheet in Naples makes it even more special.”
As the dust settles, Napoli’s title aspirations remain in the balance. With AC Milan and Inter Milan both in action, the pressure is mounting on the champions to rediscover their winning form. The recent run of three consecutive draws has exposed vulnerabilities in attack, and the inability to convert dominance into goals is a growing concern for Calzona and his staff.
Meanwhile, the Serie A race remains as tight as ever, with Napoli, Milan, and Inter all jostling for supremacy at the top. As the season enters a crucial phase, the spotlight will be on Napoli to respond to this latest setback. The next few fixtures could prove decisive in determining whether they can mount a serious defense of their crown or if their rivals will seize the initiative.
For now, though, it’s Parma who leave Naples with their heads held high, having frustrated the champions and earned a valuable point on the road. The action in Serie A is far from over, and with so much still to play for, fans can expect plenty more twists and turns in the weeks ahead.
