Despite creating numerous chances, neither side was able to find the back of the goal in a 0-0 draw, Napoli’s fifth consecutive match in all competitions without a loss.
Lineup
Nicolò Frustalupi made only one change to the squad he fielded in Napoli’s 1-1 draw to Torino: Pasquale Pontillo started over Benedetto Barba on the right side of the three-man back line.
(3-4-2-1) Boffelli; Obaretin, Hysaj, Pontillo; Acampa, Gioielli, Iaccarino, Lamine; Marranzino, Spavone; Rossi
Match
The goalkeepers were the stars of the show, with Napoli keeper Valerio Boffelli shining in the first half. While both sides created chances, Atalanta came the closest to scoring.
In the 19th minute, Boffelli used every part of his 1.85 meter frame to stop the shot from Dominic Vavassori, after the forward made a quick spin in the area. Vavassori came close again seven minutes later, after making a 40 meter run from midfield. Nosa Obaretin slid to block the initial shot attempt, while Boffelli was well-positioned at the near post to stop Vavassori’s second effort.
Napoli had a strong start to the second half, coming close twice with shots from distance. First, Spavone went for goal from 30 meters out, but his shot finished just over the bar. Iaccarino tested his luck in the 52nd minute from 25 yards out, and would have found the top corner had it not been for a fine save from Atalanta goalkeeper Piotr Pardel. Moments later, striker Leonardo Rossi had a free header from close range but caught too much of the goal.
Atalanta created many chances of their own after some lovely buildup play. Both Vavassori and Shakur Omar had excellent opportunities to score, but both hit the outside of the goal.
Napoli had the lion’s share of the chances in the second half, with substitutes Landry Boni, Lorenzo Russo and Luigi D’Avino coming close – in D’Avino’s case on two separate occasions – but none were able to find the back of the goal.
Nevertheless, with the 0-0 draw, combined with Sampdoria’s 0-1 loss to Udinese, Napoli moved one point clear of the relegation playoff zone. The Azzurrini will be back in action on the weekend to take on Udinese, who are currently tied with Cesena at the bottom of the table.
