Napoli held by Como as Spalletti begins Juve adventure

Napoli were held to a goalless draw by Como in Serie A on Saturday as Luciano Spalletti gets set for his debut in the Juventus dugout at Cremonese.

Champions Napoli are one point ahead of closest rivals Roma, who can snatch top spot with a win at AC Milan on Sunday night, following a tight match with ambitious Como in Naples.

For the second time in as many matches goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic saved Napoli’s blushes with a penalty save, this time stopping Alvaro Morata from netting his first goal for Como after bringing down the Spain forward midway through the first half.

That was by far the best opportunity of a cagey contest which has given Napoli’s rivals the chance to apply more pressure in the battle for the Scudetto.

Milan are four points from the summit ahead of their headline clash with Roma at the San Siro, as are third-placed Inter Milan who are at lowly Verona in Sunday’s early fixture.

Napoli now turn their attentions to the visit of Eintracht Frankfurt on Tuesday night, with Antonio Conte’s team on three points from their three Champions League matches following a thumping at PSV Eindhoven last month.

Como sit fifth, a point behind the Milan clubs, after extending their unbeaten league run to eight matches.

Former Napoli hero Spalletti will begin his reign at Juve when he takes charge of the Turin giants at Cremonese, with just one point and two league places separating the two teams.

Spalletti was unveiled as seventh-placed Juve’s new man on Thursday following the sacking on Monday of Igor Tudor, the 66-year-old signing a contract until the end of the season.

Juve trail Napoli by seven points ahead of the clash at the Stadio Giovanni Zini, where Jamie Vardy is hunting his second Serie A goal after opening his account against Atalanta a week ago.

Atalanta’s unbeaten record fell at Udinese in the day’s early kick-off, Nicolo Zaniolo netting the winner five minutes before half-time for his third goal in four matches.

Ivan Juric’s team haven’t won in six league fixtures and sit 11th, five points from the Champions League positions.