Watford secured a valuable point with a disciplined 0-0 draw against Championship leaders Middlesbrough at Vicarage Road on Saturday. Goalkeeper Federico Ravaglia was the standout performer, making a series of important saves to preserve the clean sheet.
Alessio Dionisi's side, missing the suspended Hector Kyprianou and injured Myron Boadu, had to make an early change when Krepin Diatta went off in the 14th minute. The reshuffled defence, marshalled by captain Mattie Pollock on his 100th league start for the club, stood firm under pressure. Watford have now kept three consecutive clean sheets at home.
Ravaglia stands tall
Ravaglia was called into action early, making a strong save to deny Jeremy Sarmiento after ten minutes. He was alert again just before the half-hour mark, keeping out a header from Callum Brittain. The Italian's performance allowed Watford to grow into the contest after a difficult opening. "The Italian shot-stopper's heroics are not new, but they were as important as in any other game," the club noted. Ravaglia's most key intervention came late in the first half, reacting brilliantly to tip a deflected shot from Finn Azaz onto the crossbar and away to safety.
Watford's best chance fell to Iker Bravo just after the hour mark. He rounded off a neat move in the box with a shot at the near post, but Middlesbrough keeper Radek Vítek turned it behind for a corner. The Hornets finished the game strongly, with the Vicarage Road crowd offering vocal support for Dionisi and his team during a spirited second-half display. Substitute Yaser Asprilla forced another good stop from Vítek in the closing stages as Watford pressed for a winner.
Middlesbrough, who had won their previous three league matches, dominated possession but found clear chances hard to create against a resolute Watford backline. Their manager, Michael Carrick, acknowledged the challenge, stating his team lacked the final bit of quality in the attacking third to break down a well-organised opponent.
The point leaves Watford in 12th place in the standings, eight points off the play-off places. They now head into the international break before returning to action with a trip to face Sheffield United on Saturday, 21 November. Several players will be away on international duty during the fortnight, including Ravaglia, who has been called up by Italy's Under-21 side.
