While Napoli are stumbling and falling, Inter are clearing hurdles

The Serie A title race has lately felt similar to a hurdles race in athletics, where several competitors are trying to skip the obstacles before them, round after round. However, the race is long, and the runners are getting tired, causing them to stumble and fall.

Last night, it happened to Napoli, which disappointed their fans, drawing to Parma at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona (0-0), stopped by the visitors' fourth-choice custodian!

Juve is losing the battle for Chiesa

After Zion Suzuki and Vicente Guaita's injuries, Filippo Rinaldi got a chance to debut in the Serie A, as the Parma boss Carlos Cuesta left the third-choice keeper, Edoardo Corvi, on the bench. And made a fantastic decision!

The 23-year-old Rinaldi stopped every effort by Alessandro Buongiorno, Rasmus Hojlund, Stanislav Lobotka, and Scott McTominay, while the VAR helped him in the 11th minute, disallowing the Scotsman's goal for offside. The Neapolitans simply weren't on their usual level and were punished for that.

Yet, the punishment became even more painful a couple of hours later, when Inter Milan beat Lecce at home 1-0 and increased the advantage at the top of the Serie A table over AC Milan and Napoli to six points, though the Rossoneri have yet to play their match against Como tonight (22.45).

Cristian Chivu's men did not shine either, but were fortunate enough to somehow find the winner over the substitute Francesco Pio Esposito in the 78th minute. Enough for the triumph, enough for the significant point reserve and a fantastic view from the league summit.

SERIE A - MATCHDAY 16

Wednesday

Napoli - Parma 0-0

Inter - Lecce 1-0 (0-0)

/Esposito 78/

Thursday

20.30: (3.75) Verona (3.25) Bologna (2.20)

22.45: (3.00) Como (3.30) Milan (2.55)

***odds are subject to change***