Napoli's title hopes in Serie A take a hit with a 0-0 draw against Parma, Inter beats Lecce 1-0

MILAN (AP) — A frustrating evening for Napoli saw it held to a 0-0 draw at home by lowly Parma as the defending champion lost more ground in the title race Wednesday.

The result saw third-placed Napoli slip six points behind Serie A leader Inter Milan, which ground out a 1-0 win over relegation-threatened Lecce.

Inter could see its lead cut back to three points if AC Milan wins at Como on Thursday.

Parma, which had lost only one of its past four matches, continued to climb away from danger — moving to eight points above the relegation zone.

Napoli had drawn its past two matches 2-2, including Sunday’s title showdown against Inter Milan — allowing it to be caught in third place by Roma and Juventus.

Antonio Conte had been sent off at San Siro and began his two-match touchline ban on Wednesday.

Napoli thought it had taken an early lead against Parma but Scott McTominay’s strike was ruled out on video review as teammate Pasquale Mazzocchi was fractionally offside in the build-up.

Parma goalkeeper Filippo Rinaldi was making his senior debut and he pulled off a sensational save in the 27th minute to parry a bullet header from Alessandro Buongiorno at point-blank range.

Rinaldi made a number of other saves as a resolute Parma defense managed to fend off a fierce Napoli assault.

The 23-year-old Rinaldi was named player of the match.

One of the few positive notes for Napoli was the appearance of David Neres as a second-half substitute after he missed the past couple of matches with an ankle sprain. However, the Brazilian was clearly not fully fit and was taken off shortly before fulltime.

It was far from pretty at times but Inter took what could prove to be significant step toward the scudetto.

Substitute Pio Esposito scored the only goal of a mediocre match in the 78th minute.

A ball was floated into the box and Esposito flicked it on for Lautaro Martínez — who had initially been rested but was brought on late with Inter badly needing firepower.

Lautaro's shot was parried but Esposito smashed home the rebound. The 20-year-old celebrated by showing off his muscles.

Lecce remained just three points above the drop zone.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Inter Milan's head coach Cristian Chivu gives instructions during the Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Lecce in Milan, Italy, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Inter Milan's Francesco Pio Esposito scores his side's opening goal during the Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Lecce in Milan, Italy, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Inter Milan's Francesco Pio Esposito celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal during the Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Lecce in Milan, Italy, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Napoli's Amir Rrahmani, center, in action during the Serie A soccer match between Napoli and Parma, in Naples, Italy, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026. (Alessandro Garofalo/LaPresse via AP)

Napoli's Rasmus Hojlund, right, and Parma's Alessandro Circati fight for the ball during the Serie A soccer match between Napoli and Parma, in Naples, Italy, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026. (Alessandro Garofalo/LaPresse via AP)

Napoli's Scott McTominay, center, and Parma's Mariano Troilo, left, in action during the Serie A soccer match between Napoli and Parma, in Naples, Italy, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026. (Alessandro Garofalo/LaPresse via AP)

Napoli's Rasmus Hojlund, center, and Parma's Mandela Keita, right, in action during the Serie A soccer match between Napoli and Parma, in Naples, Italy, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026. (Alessandro Garofalo/LaPresse via AP)

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Wild have clinched a spot in the NHL playoffs, giving them another chance to advance in the postseason for the first time since 2015.

The Wild earned a bid 75 games in after clinching last year in the 82nd and final game of the regular season. They beat league-worst Vancouver 5-2 on Thursday night to get in.

Minnesota was eliminated by the Vegas Golden Knights in the first round last year, ending coach John Hynes’ debut season.

The Wild failed to advance in seven postseason appearances between 2016 and 2023. Their deepest run in the playoffs was a trip to the conference finals in 2003 in the franchise’s third year of existence.

The Minnesota North Stars lost in the 1981 and 1991 Stanley Cup Final. They relocated to Dallas in 1993, becoming the Stars, and hoisted the Cup in 1999.

The Wild proved their commitment to contending this season by signing Kirill Kaprizov to an eight-year, $136 million contract extension — the richest deal in league history. The star winger has a team-high 83 points.

Goaltender Filip Gustavsson has won twice as many games as he’s lost while giving up a little more than 2 1/2 goals per game.

Minnesota has the league’s longest active streak of consecutive winning seasons at 14.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/NHL

Minnesota Wild left wing Matt Boldy (12) shoots the puck against the Vancouver Canucks during the third period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, April 2, 2026, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)

Minnesota Wild goaltender Filip Gustavsson defends his net against the Vancouver Canucks during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, April 2, 2026, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)

Minnesota Wild right wing Ryan Hartman celebrates after his goal against the Vancouver Canucks during the third period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, April 2, 2026, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)