Inter spurned a chance to claim their first three-game winning streak season after a pulsating scoreless draw at home to SSC Napoli that cemented both side’s respective qualifying spots for Europe next season.
With Walter Mazzarri’s side facing his old club and Napoli coach Rafael Benitez returning to the San Siro for the first time since leaving Inter in December 2010, the stage was set for an explosive encounter.
The fixture had not finished in a draw since February 1994 and since then, Inter had won nine against two for the Azzurri. However, despite a lively game that saw Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain stretchered off in the dying minutes, neither side was able to break the deadlock.
Photo: EPA
Napoli stayed third, 21 points behind Juventus ahead of the Serie A leaders’ visit to US Sassuolo today, but are still eight points ahead of ACF Fiorentina and firmly in contention for the third Champions League qualifying place.
Benitez said Higuain could be ruled out of Saturday’s Coppa Italia final against Fiorentina.
Inter remain fifth and have a six-point lead over fellow Europa League chasers Parma ahead of their visit to Cagliari yesterday, but Mazzarri lamented his side’s 15th draw of the campaign, saying they had “thrown away too many points.”
The Nerazzurri dominated the early exchanges, but were thwarted on two occasions by Napoli goalkeeper Pepe Reina, who foiled Hernanes from long range and then Mateo Kovacic from inside the box.
After a scoreless first half, both Napoli and Inter spurned great chances to break the deadlock after the break. First, Higuain’s close range shot was blocked by Yuto Nagatomo, then Palacio sent a glancing header just wide of Reina’s far post.
In the final 15 minutes, Higuain fired over the post Gokhan Inler spurned an even better chance.
Earlier yesterday, Fiorentina virtually secured their place in next season’s Europa League by tightening their grip on fourth spot thanks to a 3-0 win at Bologna, who remain in danger of relegation.
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