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Napoli 0-0 Lazio: Azzurri Held By Gutsy Aquile

The Partenopei were left frustrated by a determined performance from the Biancocelesti...

Nov 22, 2009 3:55:31 PM

Aleksandr Kolarov - Napoli-Lazio - Serei A (Getty Images)

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Aleksandr Kolarov - Napoli-Lazio - Serei A (Getty Images)

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Lazio
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Napoli 0-0 Lazio – Stats/Lineups
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Napoli were looking to continue their fine run of form under new coach Walter Mazzarri as the welcomed a troubled Lazio to a packed out Stadio San Paolo.

The Partenopei took the early initiative from the outset, but as the visitors began to find their feet the opening half shaped up to be a close encounter. Lazio were unfortunate not to have been awarded a penalty kick when Leandro Rinaudo blocked with his elbow inside the box.

Napoli took command in the second period, but as Lazio brought men back in numbers the Azzurri continued to leave themselves exposed on the counter attack. With neither side finding any joy in front of goal, both were forced to settle for the small consolation of a point after having spent every last ounce of energy.

The game started tensely, and both sides failed to penetrate as they continued to lose possession in the middle of the park. Davide Ballardini had set the visitors up deep, and this only added to the congestion in the opening period.

On eight minutes Napoli had a golden chance to open the scoring when Christian Maggio was fed in by a wonderful floated ball from Michele Pazienza. Fortunately for Lazio however, Fernando Muslera came storming off his line and made a decisive tackle to deny the Azzurri midfielder an opener.

The Partenopei had found their bearings following the early chance and Mazzarri’s men continued to push forward with the pace of Fabio Quagliarella and Ezequiel Lavezzi causing the Aquile numerous problems.

As Lazio started to come out of their shell, the game really started to heat up as the sides continued to batter each other with a number of crunching tackles.

On the half hour mark the visitors were extremely unlucky not to be awarded a penalty when Mauro Zarate saw his goalbound shot blocked by the raised arm of Leandro Rinaudo. ‘Maurito’ was outraged as referee Saccani waved play on, and the youngster then earned himself a booking as he pushed the official in the back for his weak decision.

‘The Zarate Kid’ was a man possessed after having seen his penalty shout turned down. As the game neared the half way stage, the 22 year old looked increasingly threatening as he looked to run at the Azzurri backline at every given opportunity.

Just before Saccani blew for the break, Napoli was given a scare when Lavezzi was knocked for six after blocking an Aleksander Kolarov free-kick with his temple. Fortunately for Mazzarri, the Argentine eventually came around and walked off the field with the rest of his teammates.

Kolarov's Free Kick Left Lavezzi With A Headache

After the re-start Napoli once again took command. Lavezzi immediately looked to make a nuisance of himself as he dribbled four defenders and managed to shoot from a tight angle. Despite seeing his effort blocked for a corner, ‘El Pocho’ clearly signalled his intent to take the Azzurri by the scruff of the neck into the Lazio box.

As the Biancocelesti began to drop deep, Mazzarri’s men were beginning to look ever more threatening in attack. The San Paolo faithful duly looked to lend a hand as they raised the volume to a roar - adding even more energy to an already frantic second period.

On the hour mark Quagliarella had a chance when he beat Stefan Radu to the ball and produced a powerful header unchallenged just ten yards out. The former Udinese hitman couldn’t find the target however, and Muslera thankfully watched the ball zip wide of the post.

15 minutes from time, German Denis was the second player to come on the receiving end of a Kolarov free kick, as he went crashing down in the box following a blow to the face.

As the sides started to tire the game became increasingly stretched. A chasm started to form in the middle of the park as Napoli started to throw everything forward in search of a late winner.

On 85 minutes Julio Cruz was fed through by a wonderful pass from Stefano Mauri but the Argentine was beaten to the ball as Morgan De Sanctis came streaming off his line. ‘El Jardinero’ was clearly out of gas after having worked his socks off up top.

As the game draw to a close neither side could find a winner and were forced to settle for a hard –fought point. Lazio’s winless run stretched to 11 games, whilst Napoli remained unbeaten since the arrival of coach Mazzarri.

Stefano Federici, Goal.com

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