Atalanta 1 : 1 Napoli - Napoli frustrated in Bergamo

Posted Thursday, October 30, 2014 by PA

Napoli wasted the chance to move up to third in Serie A as Gonzalo Higuain missed his second penalty of the season in a 1-1 draw at Atalanta.

The team from Bergamo took the lead through German Denis just short of the hour mark, but a red card for Luca Cigarini gave Napoli hope.

Gonzalo Higuain brought them level with four minutes to go, but he wasted the chance to take all three points in stoppage time when he had his penalty saved.

Napoli were the more attack-minded team in the first half with Dries Mertens, making a rare start for Rafael Benitez's men, leading their assault on all three points.

They were unable to create many openings, though, as Stefano Colantuono's men got their gameplan right and frustrated their visitors.

When they sensed their opportunity to take the lead in the second half, they took it.

Denis played the ball out wide for Cristian Raimondi and then raced in to meet the full-back's cross from six yards out, leaving Rafael no chance with his header.

Napoli responded well and Jose Callejon missed incredibly from just a yard out when it seemed easier to score, scooping the ball over the crossbar.

Lorenzo Insigne went close to levelling before their former midfielder Cigarini did them a favour by picking up a second yellow card.

For the second time in his career, he was sent off against his former club, leaving them seven minutes to recover against 10 men.

It took them just three to level with Higuain picking up the ball with his back to goal and turning in an instant to slot his shot into the bottom right-hand corner.

In stoppage time, Duvan Zapata was fouled by Guglielmo Stendardo in the area, giving Higuain the chance to clinch all three points from the spot.

But for the second time this season, the Argentinian failed with Marco Sportiello making the save to earn Atalanta one of the points.