Napoli thrashed Inter Milan 3-0 in a clash that dealt a big blow to Inter’s Champions League hopes
Early goals by Piotr Zielinski and the impressive Marek Hamsik gave Maurizio Sarri’s side a significant lead right at the start, with Lorenzo Insigne rounding off an excellent night’s work for the Partenopei.
It is a result which means Roma, Milan, Lazio and now Napoli all boast a considerable points advantage over Inter in what looks to be a hotly contested race for Champions League spots.
Inter fans were very unimpressed by the display, while the stats were telling :
I would love not to watch Inter until the end of the world but that is just not possible. This club is a drug that continues to piss me off
— Aadam Ahmed (@AadamForzaInter) December 3, 2016
No coach will be able to change the mental fragility of some #Inter players. Until these players have left, everyone who joins will suffer.
— Siavoush Fallahi (@SiavoushF) December 2, 2016
Inter's away record in 2016 (all competitions)
Played: 24
Won: 5
Drawn: 4
Lost: 15
Goals Scored: 23
Goals Conceded: 42#FCIM— SerpentsofMadonnina (@SerpentsOfInter) December 2, 2016
Inter Milan's last 8 away games across all competitions:
LLLLLDLL
Goals: 8
Conceded: 18
Clean sheets: 0 pic.twitter.com/FfoeNOSlLY— Squawka Football (@Squawka) December 2, 2016
Inter have conceded 10 goals in four matches with Stefano Pioli.
— F.C. InterData (@Fcinterdata) December 2, 2016
#Inter have only won 4 away games in 2016. Vs Empoli twice, Frosinone, and Pescara. Any more?
— Aadam Ahmed (@AadamForzaInter) December 2, 2016
Getting a last minute draw against Milan was probably the highlight of Inter's season.
— Ahmed Wagih (@Ahmed__Wagih) December 2, 2016
Inter's defense makes everyone look like Messi. 4-5 Napoli players who made it past the Inter players without having to do anything.
— Siavoush Fallahi (@SiavoushF) December 2, 2016
.@Inter haven't beaten @sscnapoli away at the San Paolo in 19 years in the @SerieA_TIM #FCIM #NapoliInter
— Inter Stats (@InterStats) December 2, 2016
Napoli’s performance, on the other hand elicited a complete different reaction :
Napoli's last 11 Serie A games at home vs. Inter:
WWWDDWWWDWW
No defeat since October, 1997. pic.twitter.com/4CewatRW1R
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) December 2, 2016
Sarri did something amazing this evening. Napoli fielded a mobile RG flanked by two nearly COMPLETE CMs. Tore Inter to bits.
— RG⁶ (@registability) December 2, 2016
Piotr Zielinski: MotM vs Inter, Rating 8.85, Goals 1, Assists 1, Dribbles 2, Key Passes 2, Interceptions 1, Pass Success 91.3% @sscnapoli pic.twitter.com/9clj8HJ4Uw
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) December 2, 2016
Napoli struck twice in the first five minutes and Lorenzo Insigne scored his fourth in three Serie A games in a 3-0 win against Inter. #UCL pic.twitter.com/ZUjVjTbuQc
— Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) December 2, 2016
Napoli 3-0 Inter FT:
Shots: 19-18
Pass accuracy: 86%-84%
Chances created: 17-11
Possession: 53%-47%Familiar result. pic.twitter.com/pzAjHtwEB8
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) December 2, 2016
This is the best I've seen Napoli play since losing Milik. Finally playing as a team, very fluid & beautiful to watch. Inter look terrible
— Marco Messina (@Marcocalcio22) December 2, 2016
Napoli: Have scored more goals in the first 5 mins vs Inter (2) than they had managed in the first 15 mins of league matches all season (1)
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) December 2, 2016
Hamsik was one of Inter’s stand-out performers, and received some deserved praise :
Marek Hamsik's game by numbers vs. Inter:
93% pass accuracy
6 shots
2 chances created
1 goalLeading by example. pic.twitter.com/DDwPuwjBTR
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) December 2, 2016
Hamsik/Diawara/Zielinski. All three possess quality on the ball, energy, and strength. This setup is the future of 3-man midfields.
— RG⁶ (@registability) December 2, 2016
Fantastico Marek?1️⃣0️⃣4️⃣⚽️@sscnapoli @Carloalvino #NapoliInter #Hamsik #Marek #Capitano #ForzaNapoliSempre pic.twitter.com/UNm9sWBSRB
— Egon (@EgondOrlando) December 2, 2016
Hamsik is one of the most underrated players in the world…
— Arjun Pradeep (@IndianRegista) December 2, 2016
With that goal, Hamsik ties Cavani at 104 goals for Napoli. #NapoliInter 2-0 pic.twitter.com/lNE6wHnHIb
— Everything Napoli (@NaplesAndNapoli) December 2, 2016
He's done it! Marek Hamsik has now scored more Serie A goals (82) for Napoli than Diego Maradona (81). pic.twitter.com/LMadMl6ujO
— Fantasy iTeam (@fantasyiteam) December 2, 2016
I don't think I could love Marek Hamsik any more than I do. The man, right now, IS Napoli. He is immense tonight.
— Sempre! (@SemprePodcast) December 2, 2016
Hamsik you devil, he scores number 2 for #Napoli and it's only 5 minutes gone. Carries on like this it will be 18-0 at half time ?#SerieA
— Tony Dorigo (@tonydorigo) December 2, 2016