ROME (Interstat) — In a match that defied pregame projections, Parma and Lazio played to a 1-1 draw in their Serie A season opener Saturday at Stadio Olimpico.

The result, which aligned with the final score predicted by Interstat’s game simulator, came as a surprise given the same service’s ELO system had calculated Lazio with an 88.80 percent probability to win. Instead, the visiting Parma side displayed resilient defense and capitalized on a late substitution to secure a road point.

Parma struck first against the run of play in the 15th minute. Defender Enrico Del Prato found the net with an early goal, putting the favored home side under immediate pressure. Lazio controlled much of the possession and tempo thereafter but struggled to break down a disciplined Parma defense through the first half.

The match grew tense as the first half progressed, with two yellow cards issued in quick succession. Parma’s Gabriel Strefezza was booked in the 27th minute, followed by teammate Mateo Pellegrino in the 32nd minute.

Lazio’s pursuit of an equalizer continued to be frustrated deep into the second half. The turning point arrived from the bench. Substitute Gabriel Strefezza, despite his earlier caution, provided the crucial playmaker moment Lazio needed. In the 77th minute, Strefezza delivered the assist on the tying goal, finished by Tijjani Noslin to ignite the home crowd.

The jubilation for Noslin was tempered shortly before full time, as he received a yellow card in the 87th minute for an infraction. Neither side could fashion a winning goal in the frantic final minutes, leaving the teams to share the points.

With the draw, both clubs opened their 2025-2026 Serie A campaigns with identical records of zero wins, zero losses and one draw. Their overall records across all competitions also stand at zero wins, zero losses and one draw.

The match showcased a Parma team capable of stifling a superior opponent and snatching a critical early-season result on the road, while Lazio was left to ponder missed opportunities despite salvaging a draw from a losing position.