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Napoli held in goalless stalemate |
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FC Utrecht earned a valuable point in a goalless draw in their Europa League Group K opener at Napoli.
The home side dominated possession but it was the visitors from Holland that created more chances at the San Paolo stadium but ultimately converted none.
Napoli went into the game looking to spark their season into life after back-to-back draws in their first two games in Serie A.
Napoli coach Walter Mazzarri made several changes to the starting XI from the team that drew 2-2 against Bari at the weekend.
Algerian defender Hassan Yebda was handed his debut and it was the Italians that had the first scoring opportunity.
Jose Ernesto Sosa's right-footed shot from the edge of the area forced Utrecht goalkeeper Michel Vorm to make a fine save.
Shortly after, Napoli goalkeeper Morgan de Sanctis was called upon to dive and deny Dries Mertens' powerful volley that was directed towards the far post.
On the half hour mark, Edison Cavani got past his marker and fired on goal only for Vorm to come up with a good save.
Utrecht should have broken the deadlock in the 34th minute.
Ricky Wolfswinkel latched onto Mertens' cross from the right but his header went wide of the near post.
With Napoli struggling to put a good move together, Utrecht pressed forward more aggressively before the break.
De Sanctis did well to deflect Frank Demouge's shot from inside the area while soon after, Mertens hit the ball wide from 15 yards.
The visitors picked up where they left off after the restart.
De Sanctis did well to clear Mertens' attempt that was on target as Utrecht grew in confidence.
In the 51st minute, Mertens' cross found Alje Schut at the heart of the area but his header flew over the bar.
Midway through the second half, Mazzarri brought on forwards Marek Hamsik and Cristiano Lucarelli in a bid to spark his team into life.
With 15 minutes remaining, Lavezzi tried his luck from long range and his bullet strike towards the far post was saved by Vorm as both sides had to settle for a share of the spoils.
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