|
A magnificent Marcelo Zalayeta goal gave Napoli a precious 1-0 victory over Parma.
Edy Reja's men were desperate to halt their slide after a humiliating 5-1 defeat at Atalanta. They had just one win since beating Juventus in October and Maurizio Domizzi sat out a ban, but Marek Hamsik was dropped. Parma have improved of late with a 4-4-2 system, but had Luca Cigarini and Paolo Castellini sidelined.
Napoli last won this fixture in January 1997, followed by a 4-0 drubbing and a 2-2 draw in their last meeting in December 2000. McDonald Mariga's free header on a set-piece was wide of the near post after just three minutes, but at the other end Ezequiel Lavezzi slalomed between four defenders to cut in for Marcelo Zalayeta, who horribly scuffed the shot.
Another Lavezzi solo effort was charged down, but he was booked for kicking the corner flag over in frustration and will be suspended for the clash with Siena.
Napoli opened the scoring with an absolutely brilliant goal. Lavezzi's backheel started the move and Mariano Bogliacino's chip was spectacularly volleyed in by fellow Uruguayan Zalayeta's right foot.
Gennaro Iezzo put his foot down awkwardly and seemed to sprain his ankle on the turf, but was able to continue after treatment.
Reginaldo tried to lead Parma's timid fightback, but rarely managed to trouble the Napoli defence.
Reginaldo really should have equalised in first half stoppages. Andrea Pisanu got down to the byeline brilliantly and cut a low ball across the face of goal, but both Bernardo Corradi and Reginaldo failed to tap in from six yards.
Napoli put together another impressive team move with Lavezzi and Zalayeta before Walter Gargano blasted the finish wide from the edge of the box.
Daniele Dessena's volley at the back post was poor and Mariga smacked a fierce strike over the bar from distance. Domenico Morfeo replaced Dessena to give the Gialloblu more creativity.
Napoli somehow failed to score a second goal after some truly desperate defending on 66 minutes! Zalayeta drew Luca Bucci out of his box and rolled across for Lavezzi, but Giulio Falcone was ready for a decisive goalline clearance. The move continued and Bogliacino failed to net from six yards.
Massimo Paci found space and drilled a screamer over from 30 metres, while a Corradi turn was deflected just past the near post.
In a nice gesture, after the final whistle both teams stood on the pitch to shake hands and applaud the fans before walking down the tunnel.
| 
