Lorenzo Insigne’s penalty kick gave Napoli a share of the points against Paris Saint-Germain on a night when both teams failed to make the most of Liverpool’s defeat in Belgrade.
The Italians managed 20 shots over the 90 minutes, but were largely wasteful in the final third, with Gianluigi Buffon also pulling off a number of important saves as the French champions returned home with a point.
Paris Saint-Germain's Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon reacts during the European Champions League football match Napoli vs Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on November 6, 2018 at San Paolo stadium in Naples.
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Juan Bernat gave PSG the lead seconds before the half time whistle, staying on his feet after being played through by Kylian Mbappe to slide a finish underneath David Ospina. This sparked Napoli into life following a subdued first half, with Insigne levelling from the spot on 63 minutes.
From then on, PSG looked the more likely of the two sides to grab a winner, but were made to settle for a draw which leaves the top of Group C incredibly tight, with a single separating Liverpool, Napoli and PSG.
TALKING POINT
Who does this result suit? Liverpool’s surprise defeat to Crvena Zvezda earlier in the evening opened the door for both these teams to take a grip of things in Group C, and yet neither Napoli nor PSG could make the most of that slip up from Jurgen Klopp’s side. That isn’t to say they will be unhappy with a point, but who does this result suit? Will Liverpool be pleased to have got away with not losing too much ground? Or would they have preferred a winner at the San Paolo? Who out of Liverpool, Napoli and PSG have the most to do to qualify?
Napoli's Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti (C) shakes hands with Paris Saint-Germain's Italian midfielder Marco Verratti at the end of the European Champions League football match Napoli vs Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on November 6, 2018 at San Paolo stadium in
Image credit: Getty Images
MAN OF THE MATCH
Neymar (Paris Saint-Germain) He has more than his fair share of critics, but this was a reminder of how Neymar can affect a game. PSG looked dangerous going forward for the full 90 minutes, even if they didn’t create much in the way of clear, goalscoring opportunities, and much of that was down to Neymar, who thrived with the freedom afforded to him by playing in a front two rather than a front three.
Paris Saint-Germain's Brazilian forward Neymar (L) runs with the ball during the European Champions League football match Napoli vs Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on November 6, 2018 at San Paolo stadium in Naples.
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PLAYER RATINGS
Napoli - Ospina 6, Maksimovic 6, Albiol 6, Koulibaly 8, Rui 6, Callejon 7, Allan 6, Hamsik 6, Fabian 5, Insigne 7, Mertens 8. Subs - Hysaj 5, Zielinski 5, Ounas 5.
PSG - Buffon 7, Marquinhos 6, Thiago 6, Kehrer 7, Meunier, 6, Draxler 7, Verratti 7, Di Maria 5, Bernat 8, Mbappe 7, Neymar 8. Subs - Cavani 5, Choupo-Moting, Kimpembe 5.
KEY MOMENTS
46’ GOAL! Napoli 0-1 Paris Saint-Germain: What an end to the half! Mbappe feeds Bernat, who makes a late run into the box. He manages to keep his feet and his balance, slotting a finish under Ospina in the Napoli goal! PSG have the lead a the Stadio San Paolo!
Paris Saint-Germain's Spanish defender Juan Bernat (hidden) is congratulated by teammates after scoring a goal during the European Champions League football match Napoli vs Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on November 6, 2018 at San Paolo stadium in Naples.
Image credit: Getty Images
50’ Good strike, good save! Maksimovic played in Mertens, who got away an early strike. It was heading for the far corner of the PSG net, but Buffon got down to make the diving save.
54’ Sooooooooo close! Napoli must have thought they'd got the equaliser there! Mertens played in Callejon, who was looking for the far corner, but Kehrer gets a block in and deflects wide!
62’ PENALTY KICK TO NAPOLI! Callejon is sandwiched between Buffon and Thiago! The referee points to the spot!
63’ GOAL! Napoli 1-1 Paris Saint-Germain: Napoli are level and they deserve to be! The pressure has told in the end! Lorenzo waits and waits and waits, and then finds the left hand corner of Buffon's net. The keeper went the right way, but there was no way he was stopping that.
KEY STATS
Lorenzo Insigne became the first Italian player to score in five successive home Champions League matches.
Kylian Mbappe has been directly involved in 17 goals (12 goals, five assists) in his last 18 Champions League appearances.
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