Atalanta were unable to make the most of their superiority as they were held to a 0-0 draw at Napoli in the first leg of their Coppa Italia semi-final, with David Ospina keeping the visitors at bay. (More Football News)
Gian Piero Gasperini's men were in control for much of the game and created the best chances of the match, but they ultimately had to settle for a draw ahead of the return leg in Bergamo next week.
Luis Muriel was Atalanta's danger man, proving a real nuisance to Napoli as he offered a threat in front of goal and also proved an able creator, though Ospina in the home side's net stood firm.
Napoli might have been expected to produce an improvement after the interval but still they struggled to craft openings of their own, consigning them to an underwhelming 0-0 first-leg draw.
Although Napoli looked bright at first, Atalanta soon became the dominant force and went close to a fluke early lead when Muriel's wicked free-kick delivery from the left drew a desperate save from his compatriot Ospina in the hosts' net.
The excellent Muriel was involved again soon after as he fed Matteo Pessina into the box, but Ospina saved at his feet and Rafael Toloi hopelessly shot wide a few minutes later following a clever one-two.
Muriel then wasted a decent chance of his own late in the half, blazing over from just inside the area after cleverly evading Kalidou Koulibaly.
Ospina remained busy at the start of the second period as he first rushed out to thwart Muriel, before holding on to Joakim Maehle's excellent header from a corner just past the hour.
Napoli's midfield presence diminished considerably as they lost Diego Demme and Lorenzo Insigne in quick succession to knocks, with Atalanta's dominance increasing as a result.
But Robin Gosens missed a glorious chance as he headed wide 13 minutes from time and that proved to be their final opportunity.
What does it mean? – Napoli avoid potential crucial away goal concession
For much of this match, the outcome looked like being an Atalanta win or a 0-0 draw – Napoli rarely looked capable of scoring, and after they lost Insigne, they were without their best attacking outlet.
The fact they withstood Atalanta's pressure will give Napoli confidence they can do so again next week and potentially sneak a goal on the counter.
The away goals rule is in play, so keeping a clean sheet here despite being out-shot 17 to 10 – which flatters Napoli – could prove crucial.
Muriel on a different level
If Atalanta were ever going to make good on their threat, Muriel would have surely had something to do with it. The Colombian was the best player on the pitch by some distance, his seven key passes a remarkable total and at least three more than any other player.
He also had four shots, though his marksmanship was not quite as impressive as the rest of his play. It cannot be a coincidence that the visitors looked a little less dangerous after his 73rd-minute withdrawal.
Politano-nymous
It was a long day for all of Napoli's forward players, as they were given little service and struggled to make an impact, but Matteo Politano was particularly quiet. He touched the ball just 35 times, the fewest of all Napoli's starting XI, and failed to make a single key pass. Hirving Lozano was not much better, but he at least created one chance.
What's next?
These two go at it again in a week's time, but before then Napoli go to Genoa in Serie A and Atalanta host Torino.
