MILAN (AP) Napoli’s perfect start to Serie A finally came to an end on Saturday in an enthralling 0-0 home draw with Inter Milan, the only other unbeaten side in the Italian top flight.
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There were plenty of chances at the San Paolo, and Inter goalkeeper Samir Handanovic was kept busier than his Napoli counterpart Pepe Reina.
It was the first time since April and a 2-2 draw at Sassuolo that Napoli has failed to win in Serie A.
Napoli remained top of the standings, two points above Inter and six above Juventus and Lazio, which face Udinese and Cagliari respectively on Sunday.
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Napoli was looking for a ninth successive league win. It was boosted by Lorenzo Insigne passing fit to start after injuring a thigh on Tuesday in the Champions League defeat at Manchester City.
Inter was full of confidence after Mauro Icardi’s hat trick helped it win last week’s derby against AC Milan, but it hadn’t won in Naples in 20 years.
Napoli almost went in front but Handanovic pulled off a stunning double save to deny first Jose Callejon and then keep out Dries Mertens’ rebound attempt from point-blank range.
Handanovic then kept out an effort from Insigne following a great ball over the top from Marek Hamsik.
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Inter went close shortly before halftime but Reina did well to fingertip Borja Valero’s close-range attempt over the bar.
Insigne had more chances after the break, going closest with a curling effort just past the right post.
Hamsik also fired narrowly wide, and Handanovic parried a powerful shot from substitute Piotr Zielinski.
Mertens should have won the match for Napoli in the final minute but Handanovic was again on hand to keep out his close-range volley.
