Napoli hit six while Inter end drought

SSC Napoli served a warning to Chelsea FC ahead of their UEFA Champions League return by beating Cagliari Calcio 6-3 while FC Internazionale Milano also claimed a victory.

Napoli head to Stamford Bridge for their round of 16 return on Wednesday with a 3-1 advantage and they opened up an identical lead by half-time against Serie A strugglers Cagliari. Marek Hamšík celebrated his new contract extension with the opening goal after ten minutes, Paolo Cannavaro doubled the lead nine minutes later and Davide Astori's own goal made it three after half an hour.

The visitors pulled one back before the interval through Joaquin Larrivey but any hopes of denying Napoli a fifth straight league success and fourth spot were eradicated by Ezequiel Lavezzi's penalty (56) and Walter Gargano (70). Christian Maggio ensured the Partenopei struck six at home for the second time in Serie A this term though the margin of victory was reduced thanks to Larrivey completing his hat-trick.

Inter prepared for their visit from Olympique de Marseille on Tuesday by ending their run of seven league games without a win with a 2-0 victory at AC Chievo Verona. The Nerazzurri left it late, though, with Walter Samuel and Diego Milito scoring in the final three minutes – after the latter had missed a first-half penalty – to give Claudio Ranieri's men a timely boost before they attempt to overturn a 1-0 deficit against the Ligue 1 hopefuls.