Napoli’s defence is improving, as they earned a prestigious 0-0 draw away to FC Porto.
The Partenopei were hosted by Porto in a packed Dragao, as the home team was presented to the local fans for the new season. Maurizio Sarri gave Vlad Chiriches and Elseid Hysaj their first starts, while Marek Hamsik returned from injury and Lorenzo Insigne continued in that trequartista role.
Former Tottenham defender Chiriches was put straight to work, blocking a Brahimi effort, while Herrera turned a free header wide.
Napoli’s defence is improving, as they earned a prestigious 0-0 draw away to FC Porto.
The Partenopei were hosted by Porto in a packed Dragao, as the home team was presented to the local fans for the new season. Maurizio Sarri gave Vlad Chiriches and Elseid Hysaj their first starts, while Marek Hamsik returned from injury and Lorenzo Insigne continued in that trequartista role.
Former Tottenham defender Chiriches was put straight to work, blocking a Brahimi effort, while Herrera turned a free header wide.
Insigne has been very impressive in pre-season and forced Iker Casillas into a tricky save one-on-one. It was an unlucky half for Porto, who lost both Brahimi and Cissokho to injury.
Manolo Gabbiadini aimed straight at the goalkeeper and Bueno’s back-heel flick dribbled wide, then Gonzalo Higuain made his first appearance under Coach Sarri.
Pipita just failed to get on the end of a Jose Callejon assist and Christian Maggio didn’t make the most of an inspired Allan pass, firing over when one-on-one.
Jose Angel skimmed the woodwork and it was Allan’s turn to blast off target when sent through by Omar El Kaddouri.
Italy international Daniel Osvaldo made his debut for Porto and El Kaddouri drilled inches wide.
Porto 0-0 Napoli
Porto: Casillas (Helton 46); Maxi Pereira (Sergio Oliveira 63), Maicon (Lichnovsky 85), Marcano (Martins Indi 46), Cissokho (Jose Angel 39); Ruben Neves (Danilo 46), Herrera (Andre 46), Imbula (Ricardo 63); Varela (Bueno 46), Aboubakar (Osvaldo 63), Brahimi (Tello 17) (Hernani 72)
Napoli: Reina (Rafael 77); Maggio (Ghoulam 77), Chiriches, Albiol (Koulibaly 72), Hysaj (Henrique 85); Allan (Inler 77), Valdifiori (Jorginho 59), Hamsik (David Lopez 46); Insigne (El Kaddouri 71); Gabbiadini (Higuain 59), Mertens (Callejon 46)