Carlo Ancelotti's Napoli settled for a point in a goalless draw amid high security at AC Milan on Saturday as evergreen Sampdoria forward Fabio Quagliarella equalled a Serie A record by scoring in 11 consecutive games.
Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly returned from the two-match ban he received at the San Siro a month ago after being targeted by racist chanting by Inter Milan fans.
Anti-riot police took up positions around the San Siro as part of stringent security measures Saturday, and the match took place without incident apart from some anti-Neapolitan songs before the game.
Napoli's Lorenzo Insigne also returned from suspension and formed a four-man attacking line-up along with Dries Mertens, Arkadiusz Milik and Jose Callejon.
"It was a totally different atmosphere and this is what we want to see in the stands. I applaud all the fans," said Ancelotti.
On the pitch most of the action occurred in the final half an hour.
Napoli finished with ten men after Fabian Ruiz received a second yellow card in injury time for a disputed handball, with Ancelotti banished from the sidelines for swearing.
Both goalkeepers pulled off saves with Gianluigi Donnarumma denying Napoli's Callejon after six minutes, and David Ospina saving a point-blank Mateo Musacchio volley.
Second-placed Napoli stay eight points behind champions Juventus who travel to Lazio on Sunday, while Milan, in fourth, missed a chance to close the gap on city rivals Inter, and could be overtaken by Roma who play Atalanta.