Pepe Reina's big mistake gave a point to Udinese, but a draw is probably what both teams deserved from this match. It was a dull afternoon at the Stadio Friuli, where both teams seemed like they couldn't wait for the match to end.
Udinese vs. Napoli: Final Score 1-1; Reina’s mistake costs Napoli points
It was a dull afternoon at the Stadio Friuli, where both teams seemed like they couldn’t wait for the match to end. Ultimately, Napoli and Udinese split the points in a boring draw.
Dino Panato
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Prior to the goal in the 39th minute, nothing much happened, with both sides only able to threaten from long range. Napoli were more aggressive, but found it hard to break down the zebrette defense.
The visitors only managed a goal via a long throw in. Duván Zapata flicked the ball on for José Callejón inside the penalty area, who volleyed it in the back of Simone Scuffet’s net. Udinese continued playing as if nothing happened, allowing Napoli to control the match, but not giving them chances to break through once again.
Udinese looked slightly more interested in the game at the beginning of the second half, but it still didn't look as though Napoli would have any trouble dealing with the pressure. Then, right about the time when Napoli got the game back under control, Pepe Reina tried to pass the ball to Valon Behrami. The pass was too weak, Behrami too slow. Giampiero Pinzi got to the ball first, 20 meters from the goal line. He sent the ball on to Bruno Fernandes whose curling shot from inside the box was impossible for Reina to save.
After the equalizer, Napoli did what they have done so many times this season - simply stopped playing. Lucky for their chances at Champions League football, Udinese weren't really brilliant either. Luis Muriel did have a goal disallowed, as the Colombian was offside, but that was the only excitement until the final few minutes.
Just before the start of stoppage time, Udinese nearly broke through. Gabriel Silva was too fast for Federico Fernández, who had to foul him near the edge of the penalty area. The Argentine was shown a second yellow, and Udinese had a free kick in a dangerous zone. Bruno Fernandes sent in a cross to the far post, but Dušan Basta was late to the ball, and Napoli's fans could breathe a sigh of relief.
Udinese (4-3-2-1): Scuffet; Heurtaux (Basta 80’), Danilo, Domizzi, Gabriel Silva; Pinzi (Lopez 78’), Badu, Allan; Fernandes, Pereyra; Muriel (Widmer 86’)
Goal: Fernandes 55’
Napoli (4-2-3-1): Reina; Reveillere, Henrique, Fernandez, Ghoulam; Behrami (Jorginho 74’), Inler; Callejon, Hamsik (Albio 90’), Insigne; Zapata (Pandev 66’)
Goal: Callejon 39’
Red card: Fernandez 89’
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