NAPOLI SIT PRETTY ON TOP
Hamsik ensures Sarri’s side reach halfway mark as Serie A’s Winter Champions
MILAN first time in nearly 30 years, Napoli players showed signs of fatigue with Dries Mertens and Lorenzo Insigne missing several chances.
The visitors started Friday’s game in Calabria with a badge on their sleeves marking Hamsik’s 116 goals and they counted on him to pull them through.
Hamsik opened the scoring after 17 minutes with a low finish from inside the box after a pass from Allan with the Brazilian playing a key role.
Crotone’s new coach Walter Zenga was furious his side were not awarded a penalty for an apparent Mertens handball on 65 minutes.
Napoli could have pulled further ahead but were wasteful in front of goal, while Crotone goalkeeper Alex Cordaz saved shots from Amadou Diawara and Jose Callejon.
And the Napoli coach praised 26-year-old Allan’s role on the night.
“I think Allan deserves a Brazil call-up,” said Sarri. “I also hope they don’t call him up, as we need him. It’s a real problem with the South American sides, as the journeys and logistics are complicated.”
Crotone stay third from bottom after their 12th loss in 19 games. Napoli are four points clear of six-time defending champions Juventus.
Inter Milan, in third, are at home to fifth-placed Lazio just days after their Italian Cup exit to city rivals AC Milan.
Inter are two points ahead of Roma with Lazio a further two points back in fifth with the two teams from the capital both having a game in hand. AFP