Catania and Hellas Verona have played out a goalless draw at the Stadio Angelo Massimino in Serie A.

The hosts, who are struggling against survival in the Italian top flight this season, started the contest on a brighter note as Mariano Izco's dipping strike pulled out a good save from Rafael in the third minute.

Rafael then denied Sebastian Leto and Gino Peruzzi in quick succession, before Leandro Castro and Pablo Alvarez tried their luck but in vain.

Verona stepped up their game at the start of the second half and almost went ahead in the 52nd minute when Emil Hallfredsson went for a shot from 25 yards out, but failed to get it on target.

Juan Manuel Iturbe should have broken the deadlock on 73 minutes when he drove with the ball towards the Catania goal, only to drag his effort wide.

The home team then went up the other end as Rafael was forced to make yet another good save, this time keeping out Nicolas Spolli's shot.