Napoli move top with draw against PSG

Thomas Tuchel opted for something of a tactical surprise with five at the back. Edinson Cavani was not fit to start against his former side, leaving Angel Di Maria, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar to start in a narrow front three.

The first half passed with little incident, as both teams struggled to find their fluid best, although it could be argued that the away side had the better of the action. Mbappe and Neymar caused particular problems with their running down the flanks.

However, it was not until late into first half injury time that they were able to find their mark with the cross. Neymar got free down the left and found Juan Bernat making a late run into the box. The former Bayern Munich man did well to claw the ball out from his feet to finish past Ospina.

Napoli came out from the break a team on a mission. Within minutes they had created numerous chances, and only they will know how they did not put the ball in the back of the net. Gigi Buffon - making his return to Champions League football after picking up a suspension against Real Madrid last season - made two fantastic saves from Lorenzo Insigne and Dries Mertens.

Soon though, they were back level and the roof was lifted by the Neapolitan fans. Jose Callejon, who was everywhere on the night, nipped in between Thiago Silva and Buffon in the box, and was taken down. The referee showed no hesitation and immediately pointed to the spot.

Insigne stepped up and, despite Buffon going the right way, slammed an effort into the bottom left corner and was off saluting the fans.

At this point the French champions looked rattled. Napoli had the crowd behind them and the game threatened to get out of hand. The fouls started coming in, and Mertens was eventually substituted with an arm injury, but the goals dried up.

Mbappe missed a gilt-edged opportunity after finding himself on the end of Neymar’s cross, but not even the introduction of Cavani with 15 minutes to go could help find a way to goal. The four minutes of injury time were played out and Napoli were delighted at the final whistle.

Carlo Ancelotti’s team were not fancied to progress from this one, but after four games they find themselves unbeaten and in top spot. With Liverpool and PSG still to play each other, they can now seriously look at not only qualifying, but finishing top of the group.

 

6 November 2018