Parma defeated Napoli 1-0 at the Stadio San Paolo in Serie A action on Saturday evening.
Antonio Cassano struck in the final 10 minutes to steal a win for the visiting Crociati.
Both teams were feisty at the beginning of the match as they got accustomed to their opponent’s tendencies, exchanging fouls within the first five minutes of the game.
Eventually Napoli gained control, with Jose Callejon causing a ruckus along the flanks. However, he was the only player to have created anything close to a scoring chance in the opening stages.
Gonzalo Higuain nearly got on the score sheet, but his powerful shot from point blank range was stopped by the legs of Antonio Mirante to keep the game level at 0-0.
Parma replied with a few opportunities of their own. First it was Jonathan Biabiany, who fired his shot just a little too high off of a brilliant assist from Walter Gargano. Then Nicola Sansone flashed his effort wide to the left.
Higuain popped up once more, but was once again stopped by Mirante from close range, despite some brilliant work on the left by Pablo Armero.
Marco Parolo almost caught Pepe Reina on his line with a chance from about 35 yards out. It was heading for the top right corner, but the Spanish keeper got up and made the save.
The visitors kept up the pressure after halftime. Mattia Cassani, who was delivering beautiful crosses all night, found Parolo, but he missed wide. Felipe received the same chance, he too missed the net with his attempt.
Then, out of nowhere, Lorenzo Insigne fired a shot, which forced a save out of Mirante in the top left corner.
Finally, after 81 minutes, the first goal of the match arrived. Cassano received a pass, then began to dribble at the Partenopei defence. No one closed him down, allowing the Italian striker to place his shot easily into the bottom corner to open the scoring.
That would prove to be enough as the Gialloblu earned all three points.
