Milan, 12 Apr. (LaPresse) – Napoli could only manage a 1-1 draw away at Parma in a match counting towards the 32nd round of Serie A. A result that likely dashes any remaining hopes of a Scudetto comeback for Antonio Conte’s Azzurri, who now trail leaders Inter by six points, though Inter are in action tonight in Como. A precious point, however, for Parma in their fight for survival. Carlos Cuesta’s side draw level with Genoa on 36 points, nine clear of the third-bottom spot occupied by Lecce and Cremonese. An excellent Parma side ended the first half in the lead. The Crociati caught a distracted Napoli off guard with Strefezza’s goal coming after just one minute. Following a long ball from Corvi, Elphege did well to beat both Buongiorno and Juan Jesus to the ball and set up Strefezza, who timed his run perfectly and beat Milinkovic-Savic with a clinical diagonal shot. Caught off guard, Napoli struggled to respond, apart from a couple of promising attacks in the closing stages of the half. At half-time, Conte made his presence felt and upon returning to the pitch, it was a different Napoli; the Azzurri pushed forward with greater determination and in the 61st minute found the equaliser through McTominay. Following a perfect through-ball from Lobotka, a lay-off from Hojlund and a precise first-time right-footed finish from McTominay caught the blameless Suzuki off guard. Parma were not discouraged and continued to hold their own against the Azzurri; the Ducali threatened again through Mandela Keita from long range, but Milinkovic-Savic tipped the ball over the bar. Napoli’s final assault on Suzuki’s goal proved fruitless, as the Japanese goalkeeper was alert to the only dangerous attempt from Alison Santos.
Football: Serie A, McTominay equalises after Strefezza’s opener, Parma 1–1 Napoli
Milan, 12 Apr. (LaPresse) – Napoli could only manage a 1-1 draw away at Parma in a match counting towards the 32nd round of Serie A. A result that likely dashes any remaining hopes of a Scudetto comeback for Antonio Conte’s Azzurri, who now trail leaders Inter by six points, though Inter are in action tonight in Como. A precious point, however, for Parma in their fight for survival. Carlos Cuesta’s side draw level with Genoa on 36 points, nine clear of the third-bottom spot occupied by Lecce and Cremonese. An excellent Parma side ended the first half in the lead. The Crociati caught a distracted Napoli off guard with Strefezza’s goal coming after just one minute. Following a long ball from Corvi, Elphege did well to beat both Buongiorno and Juan Jesus to the ball and set up Strefezza, who timed his run perfectly and beat Milinkovic-Savic with a clinical diagonal shot. Caught off guard, Napoli struggled to respond, apart from a couple of promising attacks in the closing stages of the half. At half-time, Conte made his presence felt and upon returning to the pitch, it was a different Napoli; the Azzurri pushed forward with greater determination and in the 61st minute found the equaliser through McTominay. Following a perfect through-ball from Lobotka, a lay-off from Hojlund and a precise first-time right-footed finish from McTominay caught the blameless Suzuki off guard. Parma were not discouraged and continued to hold their own against the Azzurri; the Ducali threatened again through Mandela Keita from long range, but Milinkovic-Savic tipped the ball over the bar. Napoli’s final assault on Suzuki’s goal proved fruitless, as the Japanese goalkeeper was alert to the only dangerous attempt from Alison Santos.
