Early goals have been a rarity for Verona, who failed to score in the first half in their previous six matches, but Daniel Mosquera nearly put that unwanted streak to bed with a close-range header that clattered off the post after just two minutes.
The Gialloblu were almost made to pay for that early miss as Parma’s Pontus Almqvist fired a first-time shot from 20 yards inches past the post. After early let-offs, both sides tightened up defensively, and there were few chances until Mosquera burst into the area, pulling the trigger just before the break, only to see his goalbound attempt blocked by Alessandro Vogliacco’s timely intervention.
Defences remained on top after the break and there was a sense of desperation after Dennis Man tumbled in the Verona area for a hopeful penalty appeal that was waved away by referee Juan Luca Sacchi.
Having found the net beyond the 60th minute six times in their last eight games, Parma looked the more likely to strike late, with Adrian Bernabe’s powerful long-range free-kick flying over the bar and Jacob Ondrejka’s dipping effort drawing a firm save from Lorenzo Montipo.
Ultimately, neither side could find an elusive goal as they were forced to settle for a point.
Seven points from their last five games helps Paolo Zanetti’s Verona move into 14th, seven points clear of the Serie A relegation zone.
A point here was perhaps more crucial for 16th-placed Parma, who are three points clear of the bottom three after going unbeaten in four of their five matches since Cristian Chivu’s arrival.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Adrian Bernabe (Parma)