Football: Napoli draw blank against Sampdoria

Napoli were looking to bounce back after a 3-0 home Europa League defeat by Viktoria Plzen.

MILAN: Napoli’s hopes of closing the gap on Juventus at the top of Serie A to two points were dashed on Sunday following a subdued performance in a 0-0 home draw with Sampdoria. Fiorentina, who, before Christmas, were shaping up as rivals to Napoli in the chase for a Champions League spot, got back to winning ways with a 4-1 thrashing of a dismal Inter Milan. With leaders Juve losing 1-0 at AS Roma on Saturday, second-placed Napoli were looking to put the pressure on their Turin rivals and bounce back after a 3-0 home Europa League defeat by Viktoria Plzen.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 19^th, 2013.