Inter Milan draw 0-0 with Napoli

Milan, April 27 (IANS) Inter Milan and Napoli wasted their chances as their Serie A match ended in a 0-0 draw at San Siro here.

Napoli, and World Cup-bound Argentina, could face a problem as their striker Gonzalo Higuain was carried off on a stretcher with an ankle injury. The striker was pulling the trigger in the final minutes late Saturday when his shot was bravely blocked off by Marco Andreolli, reports Xinhua.

He was in visible pain as he followed through and appeared to kick his right ankle against Andreolli's shin pad.

"Gonzalo Higuain has a trauma to the right ankle which will be evaluated over the next few days," said a statement from Napoli. Initial reports from the stadium suggested that it is only a heavy bruise with a slight sprain and he won't even be taken for an X-Ray.

An even first half saw both teams craft opportunities but Napoli forward Jose Callejon could not convert as goalkeeper Pepe Reina was rarely troubled.

The visitors went close again early in the second period but Jorginho was denied in the 50th minute.

Despite the draw, Napoli remain strong favourites to clinch third in the battle for a Champions League spot with three games remaining. Napoli head coach Rafa Benitez, the former Inter Milan boss, suggested that his side deserved to win the game, though the draw is acceptable.

"I think the team played to win. We had a lot of possession against a very strong side that has played only one game per week since the start of the season. We pushed hard and against them it was a good result, though we could also have won," he said.

His Inter Milan counterpart Walter Mazzarri, the former Napoli boss, blamed his side's inattentiveness which possibly cost them a victory.

"We weren't attentive enough in the first half on their counter-attacks which are their greatest strengths. It's a shame we didn't take any of our chances. If we'd have scored in the first half, when we deserved to, then we could've won," he said.

With three rounds to play, Napoli have almost secured the chance to play in next season's Champions League qualifiers as they are now eight points clear of third-placed Fiorentina, who cruised to a 3-0 win at relegation-threatened Bologna.

Fiorentina found their feet and took the lead in the 23rd minute. They made it look so simple with a cross from Josip Ilicic met by Cuadrado seven yards out and with three Bologna defenders stood watching, he guided his first-time shot into the far corner.

Fiorentina doubled their lead 10 minutes later when Borja Valero dummied the ball which found Ilicic, who curled in his shot from 20 yards into the top right-hand corner.

They denied Bologna an unlikely fightback and wrapped up the points (87th minute) when Cuadrado grabbed his second.