Side netting for the away side! Stech makes himself big at the near post, but doesn't have to deal with a shot from a tight angle. That should be that.
90' +1
There are three minutes of stoppage time in the Czech capital.
90'
K. Vacek enters the game and replaces M. Matějovský.
B. Dočkal gets yellow.
Just wide from Zapata! The Colombian striker rose well at the near post to meet a Hamsik cross, but could only glance the ball wide of the far upright! He has his head in his hands.
88'
We're into the dying embers of this contest now, with the hosts pushing on with encouragement from their supporters. A few crosses are thrown hopefully into the opposition penalty area, but Napoli look able to hold out for the remainder.
86'
Marecek blasts over! The central midfielder takes aim from 25 yards, but can only send the ball hurtling into the stands! As long as the ball is in Napoli's half, however, the hosts probably won't mind too much.
85'
Hamsik fires over! Callejon weaves his way to the edge of the box well, before setting a pass back unselfishly to his teammate, but the Napoli captain doesn't get his head over the ball and sends his effort looping high of the target!
84'
Dockal opens play out to the left-hand side, before Costa finds Krejci, but Mesto steps in well to deny the Sparta wide man. Fairly solid defending could prove to be the reasoning behind a goalless draw. Play is definitely becoming stretched now, though.
82'
Things are becoming much more end to end now, with plenty of tired legs in forward areas leaving players wandering back from failed attacks. All it takes at this stage is one mistake or lack of concentration and we will have an opening goal.
80'
Only ten minutes remain for either side to take more than a share of the spoils, with Napoli finally looking a little bit more intense in forward areas. The physicality and pace of Zapata appears to have energised the Partenopei forward line somewhat.
79'
Koulibaly drives right to the edge of the penalty area, after a smart one-two with Hamsik, but the Frenchman drags his eventual shot wide of the far upright! Napoli are getting closer.
Minute
Description
77'
Huge chance for Napoli! Zapata and Ghoulam slid in at the back post, after a wicked cross from the right-hand side, but neither substitute could make contact with the ball, despite Stech being at their absolute mercy!
76'
F. Ghoulam enters the game and replaces Jorginho.
75'
Prikryl manages to get to the byline after a clever clipped ball forward from Matejovsky, earning the hosts a corner. The set piece is whipped in and half-cleared, before a volley from Matejovsky bounces off the toe of Hamsik and cannons onto the crossbar! Napoli saved again!
74'
Napoli appear fairly happy to sit in their shape and invite Sparta on, preying on the possible mistakes of their opposition. Zapata is prowling as the last man, with his pace providing more of a threat than Higuain's.
73'
Good work from Zapata! The substitute breaks down the left before getting to the byeline, but his cross is calmly controlled and stroked to safety by Matejovsky.
72'
T. Přikryl enters the game and replaces J. Hušbauer.
Sparta now make their first change of the evening, with Husbauer taking his leave for Prikryl. He could have been leaving the field to a very different reception, had his first-half half volley crashed off the woodwork and into the back of the net! Ghoulam is being readied on the other bench.
70'
Time is beginning to wear a little bit thin in this Europa League Group I clash, with both sides looking for three points to keep qualification certainly within their own hands. Young Boys will be within a point of both outfits if results stay as they are - making for a rather nail biting final round of games.
69'
D. Zapata enters the game and replaces G. Higuaín.
68'
Higuain is the man sacrificed for the away side, with league action perhaps on Benitez's mind ahead of the weekend, but that certainly isn't a hugely positive change from the former Valencia coach. When in need of a goal, taking off your main striking threat definitely sends out a bizarre message.
67'
Benitez opts to roll the dice for the Partenopei, with Duvan Zapata being readied for action on the bench. Clearly, the Spanish coach is looking for three points tonight, rather than a perfectly acceptable one.
65'
Hamsik clips a well-weighted ball over the Sparta back four, for Higuain to chase, but Stech reads it brilliantly and arrives ahead of its intended target. Moments later, the goalkeeper is out in a flash again, this time sliding in at the feet of the Argentina international.
64'
Another through ball heads forward in search for Higuain, but once again it falls to the boots of Stech. The goalkeeper really hasn't had a save to make all game. The atmosphere has dulled slightly, with not much in the way of entertaining action occurring on the field of play.
62'
J. Brabec gets yellow.
Brabec picks up a yellow card for the hosts, after coming through the back of Jorginho in a rather rash challenge. Given that the central defender has kept tabs on Higuain for large portions of the game, that booking could prove problematic with regard to his decision making.
60'
Half an hour is all that stands between this game ending as a goalless draw, but Higuain almost manages to break in behind the hosts' defence! After taking a lovely touch over Brabec, the striker is pulled back for a shove on Holek - with the referee making a great decision.
58'
Plenty of substitutes are warming up on the sidelines, with substitutes perhaps needed as catalysts to bring this game to life offensively. As things stand in this group, with Young Boys winning in their own respective match, everything is still to play for if this contest ends in a draw.
56'
Sparta are moving the ball fairly sharply in midfield, but can't seem to find Lafata or Husbauer in enough space for either to test Rafael from the periphery of the box. This game could well be destined for a stalemate, opportunities have been scarce.
54'
Costa finds Lafata on the edge of the box, with the Sparta captain turning smartly, but failing to find his second touch. Moments later, Koulibaly gives away a cheap free kick for a rather physical aerial challenge on the Czech striker.
53'
Callejon has half a chance, but the Spain international is stopped in his tracks on the edge of the penalty area. Chances continue to be at a real premium during this contest, but a mix-up between Rafael and Albiol almost gifts Krejci with an easy finish at the back post! Fortunately, the angle is too tight for the Sparta man, otherwise Napoli would have been in real danger.
51'
Krejci and Costa look to combine with a cheeky one-two on the edge of the penalty area, but Mesto does well to cut out a backheel from the latter. After a bright first few minutes from Napoli, the hosts are getting a foothold in the second half.
50'
From the start, Sparta appear to be trying to be more offensive-minded, with Dockal and Krejci pushing further upfield when the hosts are on the ball, making more of an orthodox 4-3-3. Lavicka's men definitely have enough about them to defeat their foreign opposition tonight.
48'
Lafata and Krejci combine to clear a Napoli corner, after a wicked near post delivery from Callejon! The away side have come out of the blocks well in the second half, with Benitez perhaps having a few choice words to say to his men during the interval.
47'
Matejovsky brings Callejon to ground 25 yards from Stech's goal, forcing the hosts to defend an early set piece - which they do with consummate ease. Napoli might be forced to look to their bench to unsettle what appears to be a good defensive unit.
46'
M. Matějovský gets yellow.
We are back underway in the second half at the Generali Arena! The two sides have been closely matched, with it tough to see which way this one will go.
45' +1
Lafata stretches for the corner delivery, but is only able to get glancing contact at the near post! The ball zips off his head and wide of the far post to signal what should be the end of the first half.
45'
There is only one minute of stoppage time at the end of the first half, with Costa winning a corner from Albiol.
44'
Matejovsky lets fly from 20 yards after a great run from 15 yards deeper in midfield, but a sliding block from Albiol puts the ball behind for yet another Sparta corner. Dockal delivers, but the Spanish defender rises well to clear. The home side maintain their pressure, but a Krejci cross from the left byline is claimed well by Rafael.
43'
Only a few minutes remain until the interval, with the scoreline standing as goalless. Sparta have looked bright when going forward in the last ten minutes, but Lafata hasn't been presented with anything in the way of even a half chance. He's their top scorer and really needs improved service.
41'
Almost a big mistake from Holek! The central defender attempts to play a pass back to Stech, but almost gifts possession to the lurking Higuain! Fortunately his goalkeeper is alert to the danger to race off his line and hoof clear! Sparta are let off the hook there, that was a poorly weighted pass from the Czech defender.
40'
Dockal clips a cross towards the back post, but Mesto clears. The pressure isn't lifted, however, with another delivery whipped into the Napoli box moments later. Krejci tries to test Rafael with a tame half volley, but Albiol gets there ahead of his goalkeeper's gloves to head clear!
39'
Matejovsky sets back a pass to Marecek, but the midfielder is unable to slide a pass in the gap between Koulibaly and Britos for Lafata to attempt to chase. Both sides have really struggled to find a high-quality final ball this evening.
38'
Sparta continue to have joy down the right, which may begin to be problematic for Napoli, given that Britos picked up a very early yellow card. Ghoulam is present on the bench for the visitors, but the Algeria international isn't the most defensive of full-backs.
36'
Jorginho strides down the right flank, before trying to play Higuain in behind the hosts' back four, but Brabec reads the play well to step in front of the Argentine striker and win back possession.
35'
Sparta move the ball well down the right-hand side once again, but a searching pass from Matejovsky is slightly too heavy for his right-back to chase. Benitez is a constant presence on the touchline, attempting to inspire the Partenopei to some kind of pre-half time resurgence.
33'
Less than a quarter of an hour remains for either side to find a breakthrough this side of half time, though the lack of goalmouth action hasn't dampened the spirits of the two sets of fans yet. Sparta will be happy to know that Dries Mertens won't be coming on to change the game tonight, as he did in the reverse fixture in Naples.
31'
Kaderabek escapes from Britos down the right-hand side, but the right-back can only run the ball out of play at the byline. Sparta's front three have been fairly quiet, with Lafata seeing little in the way of service in and around the penalty box.
30'
Chances are few and far between as we hit the half-hour mark, with the visitors perhaps looking slightly more likely to make something happen. Sparta are content to sit back and play on the break, leaving it down to Napoli to find a way to crowbar their defence open for Higuain to profit.
28'
Stech is quick off his line to claim another heavy through ball, with the Czech goalkeeper remaining untested. Napoli are somewhat brighter on the ball, but have really struggled to find a telling pass in the final third during the opening half hour.
26'
Lopez fires wide! Callejon is released down the right-hand side following a clearance from Albiol, with the former Real Madrid man cutting back an intelligent pass to the edge of the box. His compatriot meets it, but can only slice across the ball and send it sailing out of play beyond the far post!
25'
Marecek heads wide! The midfielder gets up well at the near post to divert a header high of the target, with Rafael having his angles easily covered. With so many blue shirts around him, however, Benitez may be worried as to how the Sparta man was the first one to meet the delivery.
24'
Hamsik is found by a brilliant diagonal ball from David Lopez, but the Napoli captain can only find the arms of Stech after beating Kaderabek down the left-hand side. Sparta then break, but Koulibaly does well to turn a dangerous cross behind for another corner for the hosts.
23'
Benitez prowls the edge of his technical area, constantly barking out instructions to his team, who really need to avoid defeat here to ensure their passage into the next round of the competition. Three points would be preferential, but on the road a draw can't be sniffed at.
21'
Higuain continues to struggle to find space at the head of the Napoli attack, with Benitez's side not clicking offensively quite yet. Sparta are remaining disciplined and sit in a 4-5-1 formation off the ball, making it difficult for the away side to dominate the midfield battle.
19'
What a let off for the away side! The Partenopei are saved by the woodwork, before Sparta's top scorer failed to turn home what looked to be an absolute sitter! Despite having the whole goal to aim at, the Czech striker directed his attempt too close to the recovering Rafael!
17'
Gargano lets fly from 25 yards out, but the Uruguayan's dipping effort is easily patted down and claimed by Rafael! Sparta break, with the move resulting in Husbauer rattling a long-range effort off the crossbar! The rebound falls to Lafata, who looks to be offside but it isn't given, whose header is acrobatically parried away by the Napoli goalkeeper once again!
16'
Costa concedes a needless free kick 25 yards from goal, after pushing Mesto to the ground. The dead ball is whipped in, but a combination of Marecek and Krejci sees the delivery quickly put into touch for a throw in. But for their rather unorthodox left-back, the hosts are looking defensively solid.
14'
There's a great atmosphere in the stadium, with all of the home fans issued with coloured placards which can be simultaneously held up to create a huge Sparta logo. Napoli certainly haven't had it all their own way, with Lavicka's men just starting to settle down.
12'
Marecek lets fly from 25 yards after a half-clearance from Koulibaly, but the central midfielder drags his effort way wide of the target. Rafael continues to be the busier of the two goalkeepers, with Stech being a relative spectator thus far.
11'
Finally, Sparta are back up to eleven men, much to the elation of their supporters. Napoli have plenty of space in the centre of the park, but thus far the likes of Gargano and Jorginho have been unable to scythe an organised home defence in two. Krejci drives into the Napoli box, but is tackled well by Albiol.
9'
Dockal continues to receive treatment from the Sparta physios on the far side, with the hosts still playing with a man light. Napoli are dominating the ball, but are yet to work the goalkeeper. The winger looks okay to continue, but just needs a bit more patching up before returning to the fray.
8'
A long ball looks to sail in behind Costa, but the Zimbabwean defender manages to loop an unconvincing header away from the edge of his box. Moments later, Higuain is found deep in the opposition penalty area, but once again isn't permitted to turn and try his luck.
6'
M. Britos gets yellow.
Britos is booked for a high foot on Dockal, with the Uruguayan booting the Czech winger straight in the face. The physios are called on, with the Napoli defender unable to do anything but raise an apologetic hand and look rather sheepish about what he just did.
5'
Good save from Rafael! After a mistake from Koulibaly, Lafata is able to spin and play Dockal in behind, with the number nine forcing the Napoli goalkeeper into a smart stop at his near post! The resulting corner is whipped in, but Husbauer blasts a half volley high and wide.
4'
Napoli enjoy the better of the possession in the opening minutes, with the hosts unable to escape their own half. Higuain has received the ball to feet on a couple of occasions, but has been marshalled back towards his own goal rather than being allowed to turn.
2'
Hamsik is nearly found by a lofted pass from Albiol in defence, but Stech is very quick off his line to rob the ball from the toes of the Slovakia international. Sparta are very keen to get tight to their men in midfield and make things difficult for the visiting side early on.
1'
We are underway in the first half in Prague! Sparta are in their burgundy home strip, while Napoli don sky blue. This is a very important clash for top spot in Group I!
Hello and welcome to live coverage of Sparta Prague against Napoli in the Europa League, as Rafa Benitez's side travel to the Generali Arena in one of the toughest of their away fixtures in Group I. Their adversaries sit joint-top of the pile, registering three wins from their opening four fixtures. The hosts have David Lafata firing at the head of their attack and could be a potential banana skin for the Partenopei to dodge.
I'm Simon Harrison and I will be keeping you up to date with all of the action from the Czech Republic, as Napoli travel across Europe to face off against Vitezslav Lavicka's men. Domestically, the home side sit one point off Viktoria Plzen in their top flight, with the visitors struggling to keep pace with Juventus and Roma in Serie A.
TEAM NEWS: Dangerman David Lafata starts at the head of the hosts' offensive line, with the striker registering five goals in this competition thus far, making him joint-top goalscorer of the Europa League. Ladislav Krejci and Borek Dockal provide the threat from wider areas, with Premier League experience in the centre of the park supplied by Marek Matejovsky. Marek Stech takes up the gloves in between the Sparta posts.
TEAM NEWS: Giandomenico Mesto and Miguel Britos are rotated in at full-back for the away side, with Walter Gargano and David Lopez sitting in defensive midfield. Marek Hamsik and Jorginho provide creativity in more advanced areas, with ex-Real Madrid duo Gonzalo Higuain and Jose Callejon offering goalscoring potential in the final third.
Napoli starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Rafael; Mesto, Albiol, Koulibaly, Britos; Gargano, Lopez; Callejon, Jorginho, Hamsik; Higuain.
Napoli substitutes: Henrique, De Guzman, Maggio, Ghoulam, Andujar, Inler, Zapata.
HALF TIME! The two sides head to their respective dressing rooms without a goal between them, following a very competitive first half in Prague. The hosts have gone closest, with Husbauer hitting the woodwork and Lafata missing a close-range header in the aftermath, but Napoli have the quality to snatch a result here too.
FULL TIME! Sparta and Napoli draw 0-0 in Prague, despite both sides missing a hatful of chances apiece. The away side were saved twice by the crossbar, as well as spurning good opportunities of their own, as Group I remains wide open in terms of who will qualify for the next stage of the Europa League. I've been Simon Harrison and I hope to see you again next time.
Commentary
More…