Inter Milan’s hopes of retaining the Serie A title suffered a setback on Saturday as they squandered a two-goal advantage to draw 2-2 away to Parma, allowing Napoli the opportunity to reduce the champions' lead at the summit to just a single point.

First-half goals from Matteo Darmian and Marcus Thuram had seemingly set Inter on course to extend their advantage to six points ahead of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich. However, Parma responded after the interval, with Adrián Bernabé pulling one back on the hour mark with a low strike from distance, before Jacob Ondrejka’s deflected effort levelled proceedings just nine minutes later.

Inter entered the encounter amidst a congested April fixture schedule and just days after a 1-1 draw with city rivals AC Milan in the first leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final.

“We’ve had a lot on our plate lately — we’d just played a derby — and it’s not always easy to find the right mindset to secure all three points,” admitted assistant coach Massimiliano Farris to DAZN, who deputised for the suspended Simone Inzaghi.

“The team lacked the mental and physical sharpness needed to contain Parma. We should never have allowed ourselves to be in a position to concede those goals.”

Crucially, just before Parma’s equaliser, Farris had withdrawn key players Lautaro Martínez and Hakan Çalhanoğlu. Wing-back Federico Dimarco was also substituted seconds before Bernabé struck his first-ever Serie A goal — decisions that appeared to leave Inter blunt in their attempts to regain control.

Inter will now be hoping fourth-placed Bologna can halt Napoli’s momentum on Monday night, after a dismal second-half display at the Stadio Ennio Tardini.

The draw somewhat marred what was a landmark occasion for Thuram, who netted his 17th goal of the season in his first senior appearance at Parma — the club where his father, Lilian Thuram, starred as part of the iconic side that lifted the UEFA Cup, Coppa Italia and Italian Super Cup in 1999. Thuram junior, born in Parma two years prior to those triumphs, was watched from the stands by his father as his miskick fortuitously doubled Inter’s lead on the cusp of half-time.

Focus Turns to Bayern

Inter will now turn their attention to Tuesday’s clash against an injury-hit Bayern Munich in Germany, as Inzaghi’s men attempt to emulate the historic treble — Serie A, Champions League, and Coppa Italia — achieved under José Mourinho 15 years ago.

There was further cause for concern when Italy defender Alessandro Bastoni was withdrawn at half-time and later seen with an ice pack strapped to his left knee. Nonetheless, Farris downplayed fears, stating: “With the number of games we’re playing, an ice pack is the least to expect. It doesn’t appear to be anything serious.”

Parma, who are battling to avoid relegation, registered a fourth consecutive draw under Cristian Chivu. They now sit four points clear of the drop zone, with Empoli — who face Cagliari on Sunday — occupying the final relegation place.

Elsewhere in Serie A

AC Milan produced a spirited comeback from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Fiorentina in an entertaining clash, although the result did little to revive their European aspirations.

Tammy Abraham and Luka Jović struck to bring Milan level after conceding twice in the opening 10 minutes in front of a frustrated San Siro crowd. Fiorentina goalkeeper David de Gea was instrumental in preserving parity, producing a series of excellent saves in the second half. Dodo thought he had snatched victory for the visitors with a stunning late volley, but the goal was disallowed for offside.

Milan remain ninth in the standings, eight points adrift of the Champions League places and four behind the trio of Fiorentina, Lazio and Roma — the latter currently occupying the UEFA Europa Conference League spot in sixth.

Earlier in the day, Como edged closer to Serie A survival with a 3-1 victory at regional rivals Monza, extending their cushion above the relegation zone to 10 points.