SANT'ANTIMO – It ended 0-0 at the Stadio Comunale Ianniello between Napoli and Inter. It was a draw away from home for Stefano Vecchi's U19 side who were unlucky in the final moments as Bettella struck the post. The point keeps Inter second in the table as they are four points ahead of Fiorentina who are away to AC Milan tomorrow.
Right from the first whistle, Napoli tried to impose their own rhythm on the game and on 7' Vecchione shot just wide when well placed to score the opening goal. A first but timid response from came from the Nerazzurri on 13' when Merola met Pompetti's free kick but could only turn it over. On 25', Merola threatened again on the counter attack. The no. 11 ran the length of the pitch but went too wide at the crucial moment and his left-footed effort didn't trouble Schaeper.
On 35', the tenacious Schirò did well to set up Gaviolo whose cross towards the centre was met by a totally unmarked Merola but the header lacked direction. Davide Merola was in the middle of the action again and was proving to be the Nerazzurri's biggest threat. At the end of first half, Napoli had two set pieces in dangerous areas but could not seriously test Pissardo. The first half finished goalless without a great deal of excitement for either team.
Loris Beoni and Stefano Vecchi did not make any changes at the break and sent the same XIs out to contest the second half. On 53', usual suspect Pompetti sent over a good ball for Bettella who was just inches away from getting a touch. On the counterattack, Mezzoni shot on target but Pissardo saved well with his fists. Gavioli and Merola combined again on 65' and the Nerazzurri centre forward once again failed to find the target.
The game continued to be evenly balanced throughout the second half with the Nerazzurri carving out more chances than Napoli but never exerting any sustained pressure. The chance for all three points came a few minutes from time when Colidio found himself in a good position but shot wide. Inter went close again on 90' when Bettella's header came back off the post. Stefano Vecchi's U19s can consider themselves unlucky having definitely done enough to win the match.
NAPOLI-INTER 0-0
NAPOLI: 1 Schaeper, 5 Manzi, 6 Marie Sainte, 2 Senese; 7 Mezzoni, 8 Otranto, 4 Vecchione, 3 Scarf; 11 Zerbin (83' Abdallah 17); 10 Gaetano, 9 Leadrinho (77' Palmieri 20).
Substitutes: 12 D'Andrea, 13 Bartiromo, 14 Esposito, 15 Coglitore, 16 Micillo, 18 Energe, 19 Sgarbi, 21 Marino.
Coach: Loris Beoni
INTER: 1 Pissardo; 2 Zappa, 4 Bettella, 6 Lombardoni, 3 Sala; 7 Gavioli, 5 Pompetti, 8 Danso (18' st. Colidio 21); 10 Schirò; 9 Belkheir (39' st D'Amico 20), 11 Merola (28' st Adorante 22).
Substitutes: 12 Dekic, 13 Grassini, 14 Valietti, 15 Van den Eynden, 16 Nolan, 17 Corrado, 18 Brignoli, 19 Visconti, 20 D'Amico.
Coach: Stefano Vecchi
Bookings: Manzi (21'), Bettella (39'), Lombardoni (60'.).
Injury time: 0 - 3'
Referee: Valerio Maranesi
Assistants: Rabotti and Dell'Università
