Napoli coach Walter Mazzarri apologised to Goran Pandev after hauling him off in their draw with Atalanta.

The Azzurri snatched a stoppage-time point against Atalanta when Edinson Cavani cancelled out the German Denis opener.

Ezequiel Lavezzi was initially rested for an hour, but Pandev seemed very irritated when he was substituted.

"Pandev was angry and perhaps he was right, as I could've kept him on for another 10 minutes. He was improving. At that moment, though, I needed the pace and agility of Pocho. I will apologise to Pandev."

There was also a mystery over Lavezzi, who appeared to be booked and that would've ruled him out of the next game with Juventus.

"I personally asked the referee and we verified that by looking at the report. Lavezzi was not carded."