Dynamo Moscow were denied the chance to get on the scoresheet in the first half of their crucial last-16 Europa League second leg against Napoli due to an offside flag.

Napoli's 3-1 advantage from the first leg remains intact as neither side were able to strike in the first half of their contest in Russia.

The visitors came closest to breaking the deadlock when Dries Mertens curled the ball towards the top corner of the net, but Vladimir Gabulov got a light touch on it to knock it onto the crossbar.

Minutes later, Chris Samba had the ball in the back of the net with a header after latching on to Mathieu Valbuena's free kick, but it was ruled out for offside.

Despite the home side physically finding the goal, Napoli were the ones dictating play as Manolo Gabbiadini showed quick feet to burst into the area from the middle.

Instead of using options on both the right and left side of him, the player opted to go for it alone and ended up firing his shot straight into the hands of the goalkeeper.

The visitors continued to attack and had another strong opportunity from a free kick, but Gonzalo Higuain's effort flew wide.

Dynamo finished the half strongly with a number of attacking plays, one of which included Valbuena crossing into the box to find Kevin Kuranyi, but he failed to control the ball and it went behind for a goal kick.