Shunsuke Nakamura's midfield duel against fellow Japan international Hidetoshi Nakata ended without incident but Reggina earned a valuable point after a 0-0 draw at home to Parma in the Serie A on Sunday.
Reggina climbed above Atalanta into 15th place and out of the relegation zone while dealing a blow to Parma's aspirations of qualifying for the European Champions League.
Recalled after being dropped against Chievo Verona, Nakamura had a lively game in left midfield and set up an excellent chance on the hour with an clever pass through to Gianluca Di Michele, but Parma keeper Sebastian Frey pulled off a good save to deny Reggina.
Parma's best chance came when Romanian striker Adrian Mutu struck the crossbar late on but the visitors had to settle for the draw and remain in fifth on 49 points, four behind Lazio, which occupies the final Champions League berth.