Degenek earns Red Star ECL point

Little-fancied Red Star Belgrade have held Napoli to a goalless draw in the Champions League, thanks to a resolute defence superbly marshalled by Socceroo Milos Degenek.

The home team, under pressure throughout their pulsating Group C tie, earned an unlikely share of the spoils only because of dogged defending and a string of outstanding saves from goalkeeper Milan Borjan.

The visitors twice hit the woodwork and missed a string of chances, leaving their manager Carlo Ancelotti frustrated after dropping points in a tough group that also includes Liverpool and Paris St Germain.

Degenek was overwhelmed by the atmosphere created by a strong 55,000-home crowd and delighted with the result.

"I almost broke down to tears when I heard the roar from the terraces," he told reporters.

"It was a dream come true. It was a tough game, we fought hard and had to defend for very long spells.

"We are delighted and have now made life difficult for Napoli."

Napoli dominated the opening half and twice went close to taking the lead as Lorenzo Insigne rattled the crossbar and Borjan denied Arkadiusz Milik from close range with a fine reflex save.

Red Star, the 1991 European Cup winners, were rarely able to get out of their own half but their packed midfield and well-organised defence kept Napoli at bay.

Several last-gasp tackles early in the second half kept Red Star afloat and they threatened for the first time in the 58th minute when Napoli keeper David Ospina palmed away a fizzing low shot by half-time substitute Dusan Jovancic.

Borjan smothered a Piotr Zielinski effort shortly afterwards and substitute Dries Mertens shot wide from the edge of the six-yard box as Napoli continued to pile on the pressure with crisp one-touch passing.

But the home side clung on with desperate defending to salvage a point in a gritty performance.

"It was close, we just lacked the final spark," said Ancelotti.

"We failed to win an important game but there are still five more to go and we can beat anyone. We made little mistakes in passing and shooting and were unlucky too."

Degenek was not the only Australian involved in the Champions League.

Socceroos Trent Sainsbury and Aziz Behich started on the bench for PSV Eindhoven in their Group B clash against European giants Barcelona but were unused.

Barcelona won 4-0 with Lionel Messi grabbing a hattrick.