Atalanta denied chance to move top of Serie A after sluggish draw vs. Udinese

Atalanta missed the chance to move provisionally top of Serie A on Saturday after being held to a goalless draw at Udinese which left them two points behind league leaders Napoli.

Gian Piero Gasperini's side would have moved above Napoli, who host Verona on Sunday, on goal difference with a win in Udine but were a long way from their brilliant best.

Saturday's draw means Inter Milan can take second place from Atalanta if the reigning champions win at Venezia on Sunday afternoon as a three-way title race hots up.

Due to their Italian Super Cup bid in Saudi Arabia, Atalanta have a game in hand against Juventus in Bergamo on Tuesday evening, after which they host Napoli next weekend.

Atalanta, gunning for their first ever Serie A title, created very little in Udine and were in fact lucky not to be beaten by the spirited hosts, who should have taken the lead on the stroke of half-time.

Alexis Sanchez hit the woodwork twice within a matter of moments right before the break, first with a header before smashing the rebound against the bar.

Goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi could hardly believe his luck when Sandi Lovric headed the second rebound straight at him and allowed Atalanta to get away with a sub-par display in the opening period.

The away side improved in the second half but did little against an Udinese team comfortably placed in mid-table after three straight draws.

Should two teams finish level on points at the top of Serie A come the end of the season, they will face off in a single match to decide the destination of the Scudetto.