A spirited Napoli earned a 1-1 draw against visiting Paris Saint-Germain thanks to a brilliant second half performance which perhaps even warranted a win.
The visitors were on top in the first 45 minutes and took the lead on the stroke of half-time when Kylian Mbappe burst on to Neymar’s nonchalant pass and used mesmeric quick feet to tee up Juan Bernat to bundle home.
A new Napoli turned up after the break, with Carlo Ancelotti’s side roaring out of the traps and finally making life uncomfortable for their guests. They were rewarded when Gianluigi Buffon clattered Jose Callejon and Lorenzo Insigne rifled in a crisp equaliser from the spot.
Here, we take a closer look at the performance of Dries Mertens.
STATISTICS
Goals – 0
Assists – 0
Shots – 6
Shots on target – 3
Touches – 43
Key passes – 4
Pass accuracy – 79%
Dribbles – 1
Fouled – 1
30-SECOND REPORT
The diminutive Belgian’s first half was a mirror image of his side’s as visitors PSG’s intricate and rapid attacks kept Napoli’s own forwards pegged back. But, required to chase the game in the second half, the Stadio San Paolo crowd roared into life in the second 45 minutes, buoyed by their team coming to life – with Mertens the pied piper leading the charge.
Team-mates took their lead from the livewire winger who looked dangerous whenever he had the ball at his feet.
📌 It ends all square❗
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GOT RIGHT
Always a threat – He was a passenger in the first half, but took the wheel after the break as Napoli finally lurched out of second gear. PSG saw their goal peppered and they could have been one or two behind before the home side deservedly levelled through Lorenzo Insigne’s penalty.
Mertens was the catalyst for Napoli’s renewed vigour – happy to put the attacking burden on his shoulders. Four key passes led Napoli.
Creator in chief – Whereas Jose Callejon and Insgine provided perfect outlets for Napoli’s more switched on midfield in the second period, Mertens combined guile with graft as he looked to single-handedly get his side back in it. He stung the palms of Buffon with a shot that showed Napoli meant business, then laid off for Callejon’s deflected effort which looked to be heading in, while his cute chip from Maksimovic’s knockdown required tipping over by Buffon.
GOT WRONG
Shooting – Three shots in the first half, none on target. Three in the second half, not only were they all on target, but the splendid save required to keep the first of them out by Buffon sparked the Stadio San Paolo crowd into life. From there on in, it only looked like there would be one winner. If only he’d brought his shooting boots with him in the first half.
VERDICT
He endured a muted first half, but Mertens’ undeniable quality belatedly shone through as the home side started the second on fire. He may be 31 now but remains a potent weapon for the Serie A side, and would surely still have plenty to offer a plethora of sides in the elite echelon of European club football.
RATING: 8/10
All statistics are compiled using whoscored.com
