Napoli 1-1 Paris Saint Germain: Napoli move level with Liverpool after PSG draw

Posted Wednesday, November 07, 2018 by PA

Napoli moved level with Group C leaders Liverpool after coming from behind to earn a 1-1 draw against Paris St Germain in their Champions League clash at the Stadio San Paolo.

Following the English club’s surprise 2-0 defeat away at Red Star Belgrade earlier on Tuesday, both teams were looking to capitalise and boost hopes of qualification for the knockout stage.

PSG, who are just a point behind in third place, took the lead in first-half stoppage time through Juan Bernat.

However, Napoli rallied following the restart, forcing veteran Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon into a string of fine saves before Lorenzo Insigne eventually levelled things up from the penalty spot.

The Serie A side, though, could not conjure a winner, with Kylian Mbappe firing a late chance wide for the visitors.

After a slow start, the first real opening came in the 22nd minute.

PSG forward Mbappe was played into the left side of the penalty area, only for the French World Cup winner to fire an angled drive over.

At the other end, Dries Mertens looked to get on the end of a cross at the near post, but the Belgian could not guide his half-volley on target.

As half-time approached, Insigne flashed a shot wide, but it was PSG who snatched the lead just before the end of stoppage time.

Mbappe again caused problems down the left as he surged into the Napoli penalty area, before cutting the ball back to the on-rushing Bernat, who swept the ball into the net as he stumbled.

Napoli, furious the goal had been allowed after the indicated additional one minute, upped the tempo following the restart, trying to bring the San Paolo back to life.

Defender Nikola Maksimovic headed over from a corner, before Mertens forced Buffon into a smart save.

The veteran Italian produced another from the resulting corner, somehow turning away Mertens’ deft chip.

Napoli remained on the offensive, with only a remarkable block from Thilo Kehrer preventing Fabian Ruiz from smashing in an equaliser.

The Serie A side, though, were level from the penalty spot in the 63rd minute.

Jose Callejon latched onto a loose touch backwards from Thiago Silva – and was flattened by a combination of the PSG captain and goalkeeper Buffon.

Insigne made no mistake from the penalty, slotting the ball past his fellow Italian into the bottom corner.

PSG forward Edinson Cavani, who had been carrying a hamstring problem, was sent on for the closing stages to try to help conjure a winner against one of his former clubs.

Mertens was then forced off following a challenge by Julian Draxler, appearing to have picked up a shoulder problem.

Mbappe sent a late chance to win the match for PSG wide as he snatched at a low cross in from the right.