Napoli 0-0 Genoa: Honors Even In Rainy Naples

Napoli 0-0 Genoa - Lineups/Stats

Serie A Standings & Results

There was an electric atmosphere inside of the Stadio San Paolo, despite the heavy rainfall, and the match exploded into life in the fourth minute when Genoa defender Dario Dainello almost turned Christian Maggio’s low cross into his own net, but the goalpost saved the defender’s blushes.

Salvatore Aronica picked up the first yellow card of the encounter in the eighth minute when he showed his studs to Sokratis Papastathopoulos, as a rash of fouls took the air out of the exciting start to the match.

Gianluca Grava was forced to take down David Suazo in a dangerous area in the 16th minute. Omar Milanetto stood over the ball and touched it to Domenico Criscito who unleashed a bullet that forced Morgan De Sanctis into a diving save.

The rain was starting to wreak havoc on the playing surface and in the 21st minute Grava misjudged the bounce of the ball and a scramble inside of the Napoli penalty area ensued but Suazo was unable to get a shot off.

Moments later, Fabio Quagliarella tried his luck from 25-yards away and his volley was spilled by Marco Amelia who pounced on the ball before Denis could tap in the rebound.

Napoli smelled blood at this point as Hamsik smartly chested the ball into Denis’ path, but the Argentine’s shot from 15 yards sailed high over the crossbar.

It was end-to-end stuff at the San Paolo as Suazo was off to the races, but Napoli captain Paolo Cannavaro made a vital block to keep the match scoreless.

Chances were at a premium as the first half-half wore on. The next good opportunity didn’t come until the 43rd minute when Cannavaro powered his way forward, unleashing a shot that crashed off the crossbar.

That chance sparked the Napoli players into life and Genoa were forced to defend with 10-men behind the ball to relieve the pressure. The Grifoni held out and, after two minutes of injury-time, Morganti blew his whistle to end an intense, scoreless first half.

The Azzurri won a corner in the early moments of the second half, but goalkeeper Amelia got to the ball first and punched it to safety. Denis should have opened the scoring in the 47th minute when he was played through by Hamsik, but Amelia scampered off his line to make an excellent save.

Walter Mazzarri made the first change of the game in the 50th minute when he brought on Juan Zuniga for the tiring Maggio. It was all Napoli at that point, and Hamsik almost found the back of the net in the 53rd minute with a curling effort from 25 yards that left Amelia rooted to the spot.

Genoa coach Gian Piero Gasperini had seen enough and made a double substitution just minutes later as Robert Acquafreca and Giuseppe Sculli replaced Suazo and the ineffective Rodrigo Palacio.

Acquafresca, who was making his debut for the Grifoni, instantly gave the side more balance and he set up Mesto in the 61st minute but his shot sailed high and wide of the goal.

Hamsik unlocked the Rossoblu defence in the 68th minute when his delicate cross found Quagliarella, but the Italian international’s weak attempt failed to trouble Amelia.

Andrea Dossena had a glorious chance in the 73rd minute when his close range header deflected off Amelia and onto the outside of the post.

Napoli were in the ascendency now, and almost found the goal they were looking for three minutes later when Cigarini’s shot stung the palms of Amelia.

All the chances were falling in Napoli’s favour as Gargano scampered forward in the 84th minute, unleashing a low shot that Amelia did well to hold onto.

Time was running out for Napoli to take all three points as Walter Gargano’s cross into the area was met by Quagliarella, who sent his header just over the crossbar.

The fourth official indicated there would be four minutes of extra-time and Luca Cigarini had a chance to be the hero, but he ballooned his shot over the bar from 25-yards away.

Morganti blew his whistle to end the game as the Grifoni were defending with all their worth.

With the draw Napoli extended their unbeaten streak to 15-games but will rue all of their missed opportunities tonight.