Red Star, Napoli tied at the start of UEFA Champions league group stage

BELGRADE, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) — Red Star tied 0-0 with Napoli on Tuesday in the first game of the group stage of the UEFA Champions League at the Rajko Mitic Stadium in Belgrade.
The Group C game at Rajko Mitic stadium started with Napoli’s domination in attack and ball possession that resulted in two solid chances in the first half for the guest team, while Red Star stayed at a safe distance from their opponent’s goal.
To the amazement of home fans, in the 18th minute, Napoli’s Lorenzo Insigne attempted a powerful shot from distance but it was denied by the post.
Later on in 29th minute, Milik received a precise long pass across the court from Piotr Zielinski, and outran the defender of the Serbian team Milos Degenek, but Red Star’s goalkeeper Milan Borjan jumped in to make a save.
In the second half, the home team continued to demonstrate resistance, first of all with a hard defensive play that prevented Italian team from creating chances, despite the pressure they had put on the goal of Borjan.
In 50th minute, Allan directed a shot from over 30 meters straight in the hands of Red Star’s goalkeeper. Five minutes later, the home team’s defense desperately prevented Milik from scoring just in front of goal, while in the 60th minute Zielinski used a fast counterattack to challenge Borjan, but the home keeper managed to make a save again.
In 64th minute after great passing game of Napoli’s Elseid Hysaj and Jose Callejon the ball was sent to Dries Mertens who attempted a shot but missed the goal by several inches.
In the 80th minute Richmond Boakyie had the best opportunity to bring his team into the lead when he got the ball from Milan Rodic, but only managed to send the ball straight into the hands of goalkeeper David Ospina.
The final whistle in 94th minute came as a relief to champion of Serbian Superliga, as it managed to win one point from the match in which the runner-up of the Italian Serie A dominated.
Red Star will play the next game in France against Paris Saint-Germain, while Napoli will host Liverpool.