Lazio and Napoli share spoils in goalless draw

Updated: Jan 28, 2024, 07:38 pm

Lazio's four-game Serie A winning streak came to an end as they were held to a 0-0 draw by champions Napoli at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday as both teams struggled to create opportunities in a clash between last season's top two sides.

The Rome club is sixth in the standings on 34 points, two points behind fourth-placed Atalanta. Napoli sit ninth with 32 points having won one of their last five league games.

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Both sides had to make do without some key players, with striker Ciro Immobile and midfielder Mattia Zaccagni, both suspended, missing for the hosts.

Napoli were without striker Victor Osimhen -- who is with Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations -- and suspended winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, among other absentees.

Both teams started cautiously and a drab encounter briefly sprung to life when Lazio thought they had taken the lead seconds after the restart with a stunning bicycle kick from forward Valentín Castellanos, an effort ruled out for offside.

With no shots on target from either side in the first hour, Lazio had another decent chance in the 75th minute when Castellanos struck from close range with a back heel, but his attempt was blocked by the Napoli defence.

It was only the third time that Napoli have ended a Serie A match without a single shot on target since their return to the top-flight in 2007-08.

Lazio next visit Atalanta on Feb. 4 in a clash for the top four, while Napoli host lowly Hellas Verona earlier that day.