Holders Napoli and Atalanta battled out a goalless draw on Wednesday in their Italian Cup semi-final first leg clash with all to play for on the return trip to Bergamo next week.
Napoli goalkeeper David Ospina proved decisive on the night pulling off key saves as Atalanta came closest to breaking the deadlock in the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.
Gian Piero Gasperini’s side are bidding to win only the second major trophy in their history and first since the 1963 Italian Cup.
“We had the best chances against a strong team,” said Gasperini. “We did well, played our game without major problems.”
Lorenzo Insigne had a couple of early chances for the hosts, testing Pierluigi Gollini in the Atalanta goal.
But it was the visitors, powered by Colombian pair Luis Muriel and Duvan Zapata, who threatened to score.
Ospina denied fellow Colombian Muriel twice and Matteo Pessina from close range in the first half, with Rafael Toloi sending wide after half an hour.
After the break…