AFP/Getty Images
Pepe Reina close to De Gea’s record 500-minute clean sheet
But there’s more at stake: Spanish international Pepe Reina is only 33 minutes short of Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea’s unbeaten streak.
The Red Devil was finally beaten this weekend, giving Reina (who last shipped in a goal 467 minutes ago) the chance to best him, as long as Inter fail to score in the first half hour.
As our columnist Matthew Amalfitano has pointed out in his insightful analysis, Maurizio Sarri’s reputation as an
attacking coach hasn’t prevented him from dramatically improving the Partenopei’s defence.
They last conceded a little over a month ago, Nikola Kalinic netting against the Neapolitan side 17 minutes from time at the San Paolo. Since then, Reina has gone five games unbeaten, against Chievo, Palermo, Genoa, Udinese and Verona.
What’s even better is that Napoli face Roma two weeks later: a chance for Reina to prolong his streak, and for Napoli to make a run for it?
[CORRECTION: I previously claimed that Napoli's unbeaten streak included Europa League action. ED]