Napoli were defeated 1-0 at Hajduk Split, but there were many positive signs for Coach Edy Reja, including the impressive German Denis.
The Azzurri went into their first ‘real’ test match of the campaign and fell to a Linic goal 31 minutes in.
Marek Hamsik should have equalised from the penalty spot, but failed to get it on target.
Denis, who scored a hat-trick on his Napoli debut against Jennersdorf, was again the star of the show in Split.
He earned the penalty that Hamsik missed and had a goal very harshly disallowed for a push on Zivkovic.
The Argentine striker had several more good chances, while Inacio Pià wasted a golden opportunity late on.
Summer signing Christian Maggio also did well down the right flank following his move from Sampdoria.
It is a positive test for Napoli, who will begin their Intertoto Cup campaign on July 19.
They’ll face the winners of the OFK Belgrade-Panionios second round match.
Napoli: Iezzo (Gianello 63), Santacroce, Cannavaro, Contini (Rinaudo 46), Maggio (Amodio 63), Blasi (Pazienza 63), Gargano (Montervino 63), Hamsik (Dalla Bona 63), Grava (Savini 46), Denis (Pià 63), De Zerbi (Bogliacino 46)
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