Mitch Freeley

Match Report

Napoli missed out on the chance to return to the top of Serie A following a frustrating 0-0 draw with Inter Milan on Sunday evening. With Juventus comfortably winning 2-0 against Udinese, Maurizio Sarri's needed an away victory at the San Siro but came up against an Inter side who seemed content to frustrate the champions-elect. 

The first half saw Napoli dominate the ball, and the chances as Inter elect to sit deep for long stretches of the opening 45 minutes. With the tie just 15 minutes old, Napoli midfielder Allan went on a lung-bursting run beating several Inter defenders in the box. However, the ball got stuck under his feet at the crucial moment and Inter rallied to clear the ball. Whilst the home side, who had barely any possession throughout the contest had to make do with long shots on their rare foray's forward. Winger Antonio Candreva's drilled effort had Napoli keeper Reina scrambling, but ultimately the shot went wide. It proved to be Inter's only shot of the half, which ended 0-0. 

Napoli, desperate to return to top-spot upped the tempo in the second half. Insigne and Mertens sprung into life, with shots from distance, however, the Inter backline was well marshalled and shut down the threat from the duo. Just past the hour mark the pair combined to create Napoli's best chance of the game. A pinpoint ball from Mertens found Insigne, who scooped the ball over Handanovič. However, his shot was just over, annoyingly landing on the roof of the net. 

Heading into the final moments of the tie, Napoli desperately pushed for a winner. However, Inter had other ideas, cynically breaking up the play with persistent fouls more than content to settle for the point. Napoli may rue this game come the end of the season, and now it seems that it is advantage Juventus in the race for the Serie A title. 

Live Updates

Second Half

90+3- FULL TIME 0-0 Napoli miss out on the chance to return to the top of the table. Plenty of possession for the Neopolitans but no cutting edge when it mattered. How will that affect their title chances now? Advantage Juventus it would seem. 

90+2- Nope Icardi nods over. Poor from Inter. 

90+2 Late corner for Inter... Imagine if they steal it at the last... 

90- 3 minutes of stoppage time! Napoli are pushing everything forward! 

84- The pressure is on Napoli. Can they make the breakthrough heading into the final minutes of the game? 

79- Insigne blazes over! Mertens holds off a defender and lays the ball back to his strike partner. High, wide & not very handsome from the Italian. 

77- A rare foray forward for Inter. Icardi lays off the ball for substitute Eder, his shot is comfortably saved by Reina 

71- Napoli is stepping up the pressure now. Remember, they need the win to return to the top of the table. 

69-Mertens skips away from Škriniar. The Belgian cracks off a shot! Just wide. This game is warming up nicely! 

66-Mertens with a perfect ball to Insigne into the box. The attacker scoops the ball over the keeper, but the shot is overhit and the ball ends up on the roof of the net

62- Cancelo has been Inter's best attacking outlet this match. This time he goes on a run, but his weak shot trickles wide. Poor. 

60- Insigne gets a yellow for tripping towering defender Milan Škriniar

59- The tempo has certainly increased in the second half. 

54- It's Insigne in the end. His shot smashes into the wall. 

53- Dangerous Free-kick for Napoli. Mertens shaping to shoot. 

50- Curler from Insigne! A shot from distance just wide! The second staff has kicked into life! 

48-Post! Cancelo whips in a dangerous free-kick Milan Škriniar rises above the crowd and gets his head to the ball. His effort clips the post. The best chance of the game for Inter. 

PEEP! Napoli in their usual Sky blue and white shorts get us back underway. 

First Half

Peep! Halftime 0-0. Napoli has had plenty of the ball but lacked the edge in the final third. Inter have done well to keep them out, and haven't created any chances either. All to play for in the second half! 

44- Only one shot from Inter in this half so far. Which is pretty damning. Napoli bossing proceedings. One minute of stoppage time to be played. 

43- Napoli is knocking on the door here. Mário Rui wins a corner for his side. 

38- Gagliardini picks up a yellow for a horror tackle on Mertens

36- Chance for Inter! Candreva picks the ball up on the right-hand side. Smashes a shot to the far post. Just wide. 

35- Yet more possession for Napoli... They really need to do something in the final third. 

29- Insigne takes a tumble, looking for a free-kick. The referee waves the play on. Inter do nothing with the ball. 

22- Napoli is bossing possession at the minute.Hamšík picks the ball up from distance, shapes to shoot. The shot is well wide. 

16- Allan is in the thick of the action again. This time the first yellow of the match as he trips up Icardi. 

14- Allan goes on a mazy run, beating four Inter defenders. The ball sticks to his feet at the crucial moment, Inter eventually clear but Napoli are the better side in the early exchanges. 

10- Deep cross from Antonio Candreva bound for Icardi. It's overhit and goes out for a goal-kick. 

6-Dries Mertens snaps in a low cross bound for Insigne, the ball is cleared away. Napoli is looking for an early goal! 

2-Space opens up for Lorenzo Insigne who takes a pot shot from distance, the shot goes well wide. 

1- Dangerous Freekick for Inter João Cancelo stands over it. The Napoli defence head the ball away

Inter get us underway! 

 Preamble 

Right! Minutes away from the action starting at the San Siro! If you don't fancy some live updates action you can watch it all via beIN SPORTS CONNECT. 

Elsewhere in Serie A. Lazio striker Ciro Immobile scored a stunning late equalizer to give his side a 2-2 draw against Cagliari. Take a bow son! 

How about that for a goal from @ciroimmobile!? Outstanding 👏 #SerieA #CagliariLazio pic.twitter.com/ddx6UbSFLc — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) March 11, 2018

Our man Tancredi Palmeri gives his view on the team selections. 

.@tancredipalmeri highlights the importance of tonight's #InterNapoli match! #SerieA pic.twitter.com/p555H2jRod — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) March 11, 2018

Italian football has been rocked by the tragic death of Florentina captain Davide Astori at the age of 31. This weekend each game has held a moment of silence for the central defender. Whilst all clubs have a badge with the phrase "Ciao Davide" to honour the Italian international. 

#DA13 🙏 pic.twitter.com/BUlp3WkdwI — Inter (@Inter) March 11, 2018

Time for Napoli!  After missing out on the defeat to Roma, club captain Marek Hamšík returns! 

🔊 Starting XI
⚽️ #InterNapoli
🇮🇹 #SerieATIM
💙 #DA13
💪 #ForzaNapoliSempre pic.twitter.com/yVjIKDNqaA — Official SSC Napoli (@en_sscnapoli) March 11, 2018

TEAM NEWS! We have some big news for Inter Milan fans! 

Icardi is back in the side after injury, He's likely to lead the line which is a huge boost for the Nerazzurri!

📋| Here's how we'll start in #InterNapoli! #FORZAINTER ⚫️🔵 pic.twitter.com/Q9GLRGBT1Y — Inter (@Inter_en) March 11, 2018

Good evening! Welcome to the Live Updates for Inter Milan Vs Napoli which has all the potential to be a cracking end to the weekend of football in Italy.

Preview

Sunday evening in Italy delivers another blockbuster when Napoli head to Inter Milan. The Neopolitans need a win to leapfrog rivals Juventus who defeated Udinese 2-0 thanks to a brace from Paulo Dybala. The race for the Italian title has been fascinating in recent weeks, with Juventus chasing down Napoli for the title. Maurizio Sarri's side faltered last weekend in their 4-2 defeat to Roma and will be targeting a victory to ensure they have the upper hand over Juve at the top of the table. As ever you can watch all the action vie beIN SPORTS CONNECT. 

The last time the two sides met, it ended in a 0-0 stalemate back in October, a repeat of the result would be ideal for Juventus fans which would mean the Turin based side has a slender 1 point lead at the top of the standings.