Napoli's title hopes put on ice after stalemate at Parma
PARMA, Italy - Napoli's hopes of securing the Serie A title on Sunday 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's best chance to break the deadlock came just after the half-hour mark, when Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa's volley struck the post.
Matteo Politano nearly put Napoli ahead in the second half as his cross grazed the top of the crossbar, while Scott McTominay's free-kick was brilliantly saved by Parma keeper Zion Suzuki.
News broke in the 90th minute that Lazio had equalised against Inter, putting Napoli back in control of the title race.
But as Napoli pushed desperately for a winning goal, emotions boiled over and their manager Antonio Conte and his Parma counterpart Cristian Chivu were both shown red cards after an apparent heated exchange on the touch-line.
Due to the red card, Conte will be in the stands for the final match of the season.
The most thrilling moment came deep into stoppage time. David Neres was brought down by Parma's Mathias Fjortoft Lovik, with the referee initially awarding a penalty. However, after a lengthy VAR review, the decision was overturned.
Napoli will host Cagliari while Inter will travel to in-form Como in the title deciding final round next Sunday. If the two teams end up with equal points, the title will be decided by a playoff. REUTERS
Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
16 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Powerboat racing-DJ Aoki's team wins in Dubrovnik as Lebron claims first E1 podium
DJ Steve Aoki's electric raceboat team surged to victory in the Adriatic over the weekend, claiming their second win of the season and leapfrogging Rafa Nadal's outfit in the E1 championship standings. Former Formula 1 test driver Dani Clos, a new addition to Aoki Racing Team for 2025, took the chequered flag in a tight finish at the E1 Dubrovnik Grand Prix, with Team Brady securing second place and NBA superstar LeBron James celebrating his first podium finish with Team AlUla in third. The victory unfolded against the backdrop of Dubrovnik's historic walls, where thousands gathered for Croatia's debut on the UIM E1 World Championship calendar, the series dedicated to all-electric powerboat racing. The result intensified the rivalry between Aoki's team and Nadal's, which could only manage fourth place despite qualifying strongly. Both teams have emerged as the dominant forces in the 2025 season as they vie for the "Champions of the Water" title, to be decided in Miami in November. The championship, which features teams owned by global celebrities including actor Will Smith and former footballer Didier Drogba, now heads to Italy's Lake Maggiore in late June for the midpoint of the season. The E1 World Championship is the first all-electric raceboat series sanctioned by powerboating's global governing body, the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM), and is designed to accelerate innovation in sustainable marine technology and coastal conservation. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
3 hours ago
- Straits Times
Pochettino glad to get a reaction after US end losing streak in style
FILE PHOTO: Jun 14, 2025; San Jose, California, USA; United States of America head coach Mauricio Pochettino (center) and midfielder Diego Luna answer questions from the media the date before their game against Trinidad and Tobago at PayPal Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images/File Photo REUTERS Pochettino glad to get a reaction after US end losing streak in style United States manager Mauricio Pochettino said Sunday's 5-0 thrashing of Trinidad and Tobago in their Gold Cup opener would do his squad the world of good after they came in for some stinging criticism during a four-match losing run. The U.S., who will co-host next year's World Cup with Canada and Mexico, had come under pressure after a humiliating 4-0 defeat by Switzerland in a friendly last week but found form in California to go top of Group D. The U.S. were without some of their top players, including Christian Pulisic, Antonee Robinson, Weston McKennie and Yunus Musah, who have decided to skip the tournament, with the high-profile absences prompting criticism from former U.S. stalwarts Landon Donovan and Alexi Lalas. Pochettino said it was important to start the Gold Cup with a "good feeling". "Today's game was also a difficult one, especially because of the negative things that happened in recent weeks," he was quoted as saying by ESPN. "Some results that haven't gone well always generate a bit of noise. It's important for the players to have that confidence." With the World Cup on the horizon, former Tottenham Hotspur boss Pochettino said the Gold Cup would be a chance for players to stake their claim for a place in the squad next year. "We want to win, but at the same time it's to help the players to perform and to knock (on) the door and say, we can perform for the national team and we can be involved in the next World Cup," he added. "That is what I expect. Win, and the player really believes that they are having the opportunity...(to) fight for a place in the World Cup." The U.S. top Group D ahead of Saudi Arabia, Haiti and Trinidad and Tobago. They next face the Saudis, who beat Haiti 1-0 in their opener, in Texas on Thursday. The Gold Cup runs until July 6. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
4 hours ago
- Straits Times
Botafogo hold off late Seattle surge for 2-1 Club World Cup debut win
Soccer Football - FIFA Club World Cup - Group B - Botafogo v Seattle Sounders FC - Lumen Field, Seattle, Washington, U.S. - June 15, 2025 Botafogo's Santiago Rodriguez in action with Seattle Sounders FC's Jackson Rage IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Steven Bisig REUTERS SEATTLE - Brazilian and South American champions Botafogo survived a late onslaught to beat MLS side Seattle Sounders 2-1 in their Group B opener of the Club World Cup at Lumen Field on Sunday. First-half headers from Jair Cunha and Igor Jesus gave the visitors a deserved lead but a second-half deflected effort from Cristian Roldan handed the hosts a lifeline. Despite coming under late pressure, Botafogo held firm to secure the three points, with goalkeeper John making a brilliant save deep in added time to deny Seattle an equaliser. Botafogo captain Marlon Freitas said it was not his side's best performance. "The important thing here was the result, the effort, but we know we didn't play well,' he told TV Globo. 'We have to learn lessons, both individually and collectively. This win helps ease some of the anxiety, but we must improve against our next opponents because playing like this, the result might not be the same.' Botafogo took control early on and Seattle keeper Stefan Frei was called into action to produce fine saves from Igor Jesus and Alex Telles. However, he was powerless to stop Cunha's opener in the 27th minute. A clumsy foul by Nouhou on Artur near the edge of the box gave Telles the chance to deliver a pinpoint free kick, which 20-year-old Cunha headed home. Igor Jesus doubled the lead just before halftime when Vitinho's long cross from the right found the 24-year-old and he outjumped the Seattle defence to direct a towering header into the bottom corner. Ryan Kent missed a golden opportunity to pull a goal back for Seattle in the 55th minute but somehow missed from close range. The Sounders were rewarded for their efforts in the 75th minute when Roldan's header deflected off Igor Jesus to wrongfoot John and nestle into the net. The goal energised the hosts and they dominated the final stages but could not find the equaliser, with John's reflex save in added time preserving Botafogo's narrow victory. Botafogo are second in Group B on goal difference, following Paris St Germain's 4-0 win over Atletico Madrid earlier on Sunday. They next take on PSG while Seattle face Atletico on Thursday. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
