PARMA vs INTER 2-2 | HIGHLIGHTS | Parma Mount Second Half Comeback To Take A Point | Serie A 2024/25
PARMA vs INTER
Leaders Inter Milan squandered a two-goal advantage to draw 2-2 at lowly Parma in Serie A on Saturday, a result that saw the Nerazzurri drop crucial points in their pursuit of the Scudetto as coach Simone Inzaghi watched helplessly from the stands, serving a touchline ban after being shown a red card in the previous weekend’s fixture. The match at the Stadio Ennio Tardini was a tale of two halves for Inter, who had looked poised to cruise to victory after establishing a commanding 2-0 lead by halftime, only to unravel in the second period against a Parma side that refused to roll over despite their precarious position in the league standings. With 68 points from 31 games games, Inter remain atop the Serie A table, four points clear of second-placed Napoli, who face a tricky trip to fourth-placed Bologna on Monday, but this draw felt like a missed opportunity for Inzaghi’s men to further solidify their position. Matteo Darmian opened the scoring after just 15 minutes, striking at the near post with a shot that cannoned in off the woodwork, and Marcus Thuram doubled the advantage just before the break with an unusual chipped finish that showcased his flair and confidence. However, Parma, languishing in 16th and just four points above the relegation zone, mounted a spirited comeback, with halftime substitute Adrian Bernabe pulling one back on the hour mark before Jacob Ondrejka’s stunning solo effort in the 69th minute leveled the score, leaving Inter stunned and their fans frustrated. Inzaghi’s absence from the dugout—following his dismissal for dissent in the prior match—may have played a role, as his deputy struggled to adapt to Parma’s resurgence, exposing vulnerabilities in an Inter side that had otherwise been relentless in their title charge throughout the 2024-25 season.
The afternoon had begun with all the hallmarks of a routine victory for Inter, a team that has dominated Serie A this term under Inzaghi’s astute leadership, blending defensive solidity with attacking flair to establish themselves as clear favorites for the title. Darmian’s opener came early, a well-timed run to the near post meeting a pinpoint cross, the ball ricocheting off the upright and into the net to give Inter a deserved lead after a bright start. The goal settled any nerves among the traveling supporters, who had made the trip to Parma expecting their side to dispatch a team battling to avoid the drop with relative ease. Thuram’s strike just before halftime seemed to put the game beyond doubt—a moment of individual brilliance as he latched onto a through ball, spotted Parma goalkeeper Zion Suzuki off his line, and executed a delicate chip that floated over the stranded keeper and nestled into the far corner. It was a finish that epitomized Inter’s swagger, a team brimming with confidence and seemingly in control as they headed into the interval with a two-goal cushion. Parma, however, had shown flickers of resistance in the first half, testing Yann Sommer with a handful of efforts that hinted at their potential to cause problems, though few in the stadium—or indeed watching from afar—could have predicted the turnaround that was to come. For Inter, the first 45 minutes were a microcosm of their season: dominant, composed, and clinical, with their key players stepping up when it mattered. Yet, as the second half unfolded, the narrative shifted dramatically, exposing cracks in their armor that had rarely been seen in a campaign where they’ve lost just twice in the league prior to this fixture.
However, Parma, who threatened Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer in the first half, pulled a goal back on the hour through halftime substitute Adrian Bernabe before Jacob Ondrejka levelled in the 69th minute following a brilliant solo run, turning what had seemed a foregone conclusion into a frantic battle for supremacy. The seeds of Parma’s revival were sown at the break, with manager Fabio Pecchia rolling the dice by introducing Bernabe, a move that paid immediate dividends. The diminutive midfielder injected energy into a side that had been overrun before the interval, and his goal—a sharp finish from a well-worked move—ignited the Tardini crowd and shifted the momentum. Bernabe’s strike came after Parma capitalized on a rare lapse in Inter’s usually watertight defense, a quick exchange of passes slicing through the midfield before the substitute rifled the ball past Sommer from close range. The goal breathed life into Parma’s campaign, and just nine minutes later, Ondrejka delivered the equalizer with a moment of magic that will linger long in the memory of the home faithful. Picking up the ball deep in his own half, the Swedish winger embarked on a mazy run, weaving past three Inter defenders with a blend of pace and guile before slotting a cool finish beyond Sommer’s reach. The San Siro loanee’s strike was a dagger to Inter’s hopes, a solo effort that underscored Parma’s refusal to capitulate and highlighted the fragility that crept into Inter’s play without Inzaghi’s commanding presence on the touchline. From there, the game became a tense, end-to-end affair, with Inter pushing for a winner but finding Parma’s resolve—and Suzuki’s reflexes—equal to the task, resulting in a draw that felt like a defeat for the league leaders.
Inter, on 68 points from 31 games, are four points above second-placed Napoli, who travel to Bologna, in fourth, on Monday, while Parma are 16th, four points above the relegation zone, a standings snapshot that only tells part of the story after this pulsating encounter. For Inter, the draw keeps them in pole position, but the gap to Napoli—set to face a Bologna side in fine form—feels less secure than it did before kickoff, especially with tougher tests looming in the run-in. The four-point buffer is a testament to their consistency across the season, with only two defeats and a string of victories that have made them the team to beat, yet this result injects a dose of uncertainty into their title charge. Inzaghi, watching from the stands, will rue the inability of his deputy to stem Parma’s tide, a task made harder by his absence after last week’s red card for protesting a refereeing decision—a moment of passion that may yet prove costly. The 2-2 scoreline leaves Inter vulnerable, particularly if Napoli capitalize on their game in hand, and it raises questions about the squad’s mentality when faced with adversity, an area where Inzaghi’s vocal presence might have made the difference. For Parma, this point is a lifeline in their fight for survival, lifting them to 28 points and keeping them four clear of the drop zone with seven games to play. The comeback showcased a resilience that had been lacking in their campaign, a battling display that could galvanize Pecchia’s men as they look to defy the odds and secure their Serie A status. The draw also marked a rare bright spot in a season of struggle, their first point against Inter since returning to the top flight, and a result that could prove pivotal in their bid to avoid relegation.
The ramifications of this match ripple beyond the immediate standings, offering a glimpse into the contrasting fortunes of two sides at opposite ends of the table, and for Inter, it’s a wake-up call as the season enters its decisive phase. Without Inzaghi on the sidelines, Inter’s second-half collapse exposed a lack of adaptability, a stark contrast to the control they’d exerted earlier in the game, and it’s a lesson they’ll need to heed with Napoli breathing down their necks. Thuram and Darmian’s first-half heroics were overshadowed by the defensive lapses that allowed Bernabe and Ondrejka to steal the show, and while Inter’s attacking prowess remains a strength—evidenced by their league-leading goal tally—their inability to close out the game raises doubts about their resolve under pressure. Parma, meanwhile, can take heart from a performance that belied their lowly position, with Pecchia’s tactical tweak at halftime and the individual brilliance of Ondrejka proving the difference. The draw doesn’t erase their relegation fears, but it’s a statement of intent, a sign that they’re not ready to go down without a fight, and it could yet serve as a springboard for a late surge. As Serie A heads into its final stretch, Inter remain favorites, their 68 points a reflection of a season-long dominance, but this stumble at Parma serves as a reminder that nothing is guaranteed—especially with Inzaghi’s influence curtailed and rivals like Napoli waiting to pounce. For now, the Nerazzurri must regroup, refocus, and ensure that this draw is a blip rather than the beginning of a late wobble in what has otherwise been a near-flawless campaign.
