Wasteful Napoli held to goalless draw by visiting Monza

NAPLES, Italy :Napoli's pursuit of a top-four spot took a hit as they were held to a 0-0 draw at home to Monza, who missed a penalty, after the hosts spurned several chances in their Serie A clash on Friday.

Monza had the opportunity to grab the win from the spot following a handball by Juan Jesus but Matteo Pessina's tame effort in the 68th minute was easily saved by Alex Meret.

The draw leaves Napoli in seventh place with 28 points, five points off the top four places and 16 adrift of leaders Inter Milan, who visit Genoa later on Friday. Monza are 11th on 22.

Fiorentina moved up to fourth after a goal by Luca Ranieri in the 83rd minute secured a 1-0 home win over Torino.

Napoli missed the finishing of the suspended Victor Osimhen who was sent off in their 2-0 loss at AS Roma last weekend.

Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa had a golden opportunity to break the deadlock shortly before halftime with a close-angle volley, but Monza's Michele Di Gregorio made a superb reaction save.

Napoli's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia then struck a shot from just outside the box that missed the post by inches.

He had another chance early in the second half in a one-on-one with Di Gregorio, who saved the attempt with his legs.

At the end frustration boiled over for Napoli manager Walter Mazzarri, leading to his dismissal following an altercation, while Monza coach Raffaele Palladino also received a red card in stoppage time for comments made to the referee.

Monza's unused substitute, Mirko Maric, was shown a red card deep into stoppage time, seemingly for kicking a ball away.