Hamsik targets Maradonas record at Napoli
AFP
AFP, MILAN: Marek Hamsik hits his 104th goal for Napoli to tie Uruguayan Edinson Cavanis tally for the Italians in a defiant 3-0 win over Inter Milan at the San Paolo on Friday.
Inter travelled to Naples looking to continue their strong start under new coach Stefano Pioli, who started his spell in charge with a 2-2 derby draw at AC Milan and secured a 4-2 win over Fiorentina last weekend.
But Napoli were desperate to make up for dropping points in a 1-1 draw with Sassuolo, a result that left Maurizio Sarris men eight points behind leaders Juventus, and were soon on their way to a morale-boosting win after hitting two quick-fire goals in the opening six minutes.
A great attacking move saw Jose Callejon knock down Hamsiks pass for Piotr Zielinski, who fired a low volley from 12 yards past Samir Handanovic and into the far bottom corner after just two minutes.
The Napoli fans were gifted another gem four minutes later when Hamsik beat the offside trap on his way to a through ball and fired an unstoppable angled drive under Handanovic.
The Slovaks 104th goal for Napoli pulled him level with Cavani, who is now at Paris Saint Germain, and means he is well on his way to beating Diego Maradonas Napoli record of 115.
Napoli could have added more, Handanovic parrying Manolo Gabbiadinis strike before a header from the big forward glanced wide.
Inter spurned a chance to reduce the arrears after Pepe Reina came rushing off his line to block from Mauro Icardi with his legs.
Icardi wasted another chance when he rolled the ball across for Ivan Perisic rather than go for goal, and moments later the Argentine was denied by Reina at the near post.
But Handanovic was soon back in action, parrying a Gabbiadini snap shot and a vicious drive from Hamsik.
Inter emerged in determined fashion after the interval, but all hopes of launching a fightback were kept in check when Lorenzo Insigne volleyed a loose ball from a corner past Handanovic on 51 minutes.
Handanovic saved Inters blushes with a point-blank save from Hamsik after Insignes pass, while Reina denied Antonio Candreva a consolation goal with a great, one-handed save down low.
Napoli move up to sixth place at five points behind Juventus, who host Atalanta on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Slovakia midfielder Marek Hamsik set his sights on Diego Maradonas record haul of 115 goals for Napoli after hitting his 104th goal for the southerners.
Im happy, its something positive for me. Now, its full steam ahead to try and reach first place, he told Sport Mediaset as he targetted Maradonas mark.
Inter emerged in determined fashion after half-time, but all hopes of launching a fightback were kept in check by Lorenzo Insignes 51st minute strike for the hosts.
Napoli moved up to provisional sixth place at five points behind leaders Juventus, who, despite a raft of injuries, host Atalanta on Saturday looking to avoid their second successive slip up after last weeks 3-1 loss at Genoa.
Roma, in second at four points adrift, are away to Lazio in the capital derby on Sunday, when AC Milan, in third also at four points behind, host Crotone.
If Juve, or any other top five sides slip up, Napolis win will have extra value and Hamsik added: Were happy to be back to winning ways.
We had an amazing start, it was important to get off the mark quickly tonight.
It doesnt matter who scores the goals here, and its also positive that we didnt concede any.
Inters first Serie A defeat under Pioli leaves them in ninth place at 12 points behind Juve, but at risk of dropping further behind their rivals for a place in Europe next season.
Conceding two quick goals like that left us with a lot of work, said Pioli.
Tonight we found it more difficult than in previous games, but Napoli are a well-organised side with top players.
