Napoli and Sampdoria have both been unable to find the back of the net in a goalless first half in their Serie A match this evening.

The visitors fashioned the first opening of the game inside two minutes when Marek Hamsik flicked Jose Callejon's corner over the bar.

Faouzi Ghoulam was next to threaten for Napoli, as he diverted Christian Maggio's cross inches wide of the post.

Midway through the half Gonzalo Higuain had his first sight of goal when he was picked out by Hamsik at the back post, but the Argentine couldn't keep his header under the bar.

Sampdoria began to cause more of a threat and Stefano Okaka fired just wide after a scramble inside the box, before Alessio Romagnoli saw his header goalwards blocked by his own teammate.

Higuain then squandered a great chance to give Napoli the lead after being played through on goal, but Sergio Romero was quick off his line to save at his feet.