Napoli head coach Luciano Spalletti allayed concerns about the condition of Victor Osimhen after the in-form striker appeared to limp off during Friday's win over Sassuolo.

The Nigeria star scored Napoli's second goal in the 2-0 victory at Mapei Stadium after Khvicha Kvaratskhelia opened the scoring.

Osimhen's goal saw him become the first Napoli player to score in seven successive Serie A games during the three-points-for-a-win era (1995-96).

He was taken off six minutes from time and seemed to be limping as he headed for the bench, sparking some concern from supporters with a trip to Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League on the horizon.

But Spalletti appeared confident his star striker has not suffered any lasting damage and will be fit on Tuesday.

"We have evaluated Osimhen's condition, but it doesn't seem like it's anything out of the ordinary," Spalletti told DAZN after the game.

"He's just a little tired because he can't stop himself. It always seems like he has to do the last two metres, then he just starts running after everyone until he's recovered the ball, so two metres becomes another 200 metres.

"Doctors are investigating, but it doesn't seem like it's anything serious."

After an entertaining first half, the game was much tighter in the second period, seemingly owing to Napoli's ability to see things out in their own manner.

But there was an intensity to their play throughout that undoubtedly contributed to Sassuolo struggling to impose themselves, particularly when they might have been desperately chasing a late lifeline.

Spalletti's post-match interview was conducted by former Napoli and Juventus great Ciro Ferrara, who likened Napoli's urgency to that of Pep Guardiola's classic Barcelona side.

The Napoli coach felt the need to pump the brakes at that comparison.

"You have to go easy on the comparisons," Spalletti said. "Then it becomes a problem. We must stay calm, very calm.

"It's true that we put a lot of determination into winning the ball back. We have the strength to go and steal it from the opponent, and we did it well today.

"But, beyond that, compared to the last few games, today it seemed to me that we were superior to our previous performances, even in small things like dribbling and [game] management.

"We were quick and assertive when moving the ball around. We suffered a couple of times because Sassuolo are a great team, trained very well.

"You can't have supremacy for 90 minutes. However, the team put in a great performance. Even though we're living a great moment, nobody is giving up on the ball. It's a good feeling."

Friday's win moved Napoli 18 points clear at the summit, though Inter can reduce the deficit back to 15 with a victory over Udinese on Saturday.

Luciano Spalletti says the late Diego Maradona is playing a big part in irrepressible Napoli's quest to end their long wait to win the Serie A title.

Napoli have not won the Scudetto since Maradona inspired them to be crowned champions back in 1990, but there appears to be no stopping them this season.

A 3-0 win over Cremonese on Sunday put the runaway leaders 16 points clear of Inter, who have a game in hand, and the Partenopei also remain in the hunt for Champions League glory.

Napoli have reeled off six Serie A wins in a row since suffering their only loss to Inter.

Head coach Spalletti, who is on course to win a first Serie A title at the age of 64, revealed they are trying to go about their business in the same manner as club legend Maradona, who died at the age of 60 in November 2020.

He said: "We have him there. In the locker room there's that statue of Maradona that many go to touch. I do too when we go out on the pitch because we want to bring him into the quality of our team.

"He was someone who won through his quality, through all those things that fans like. We want to try to resemble him as much as possible and we will always carry him with us for the teachings he has given us."

Spalletti also compared winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who has scored 11 goals and provided 12 assists this season, to Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah.

He said of the Georgia international: "He is truly someone who has sensitivity in dribbling, in stroking the ball, in making those tricks that are so difficult to defend against.

"Salah is one of those who has this quality in close quarters and in finishing so precisely. That he didn't feel the pressure, it can be seen that he is a calm boy. He will have a great future."

Luciano Spalletti praised Napoli's supporters for helping his side lift their levels after they cruised to a 3-0 win over Cremonese in Serie A.

Goals from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Victor Osimhen and Eljif Elmas saw the league leaders extend their advantage to 16 points at the summit.

After losing to their rock-bottom visitors in the Coppa Italia last month, the hosts were able to take their revenge at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

But it came after something of a loose start, with Spalletti praising encouragement from supporters as key to helping his team focus in the second half.

"Our city, our fans, they care about what we are doing here," he told DAZN. "[They understand] the possibility that we can do important things.

"Everyone could see, perhaps too much, that we weren't as calm as we usually are in the first half. We got a little nervous, and it was more difficult.

"Cremonese played wide and we lost energy having to defend the balls they put into our penalty area. But it was much better in the second half.

"I applauded [the crowd] because that's what they do for our team. Our players are ready to destroy themselves on the pitch for a result."

A 17th goal of the league season for Nigeria international Osimhen saw the attacker further build his lead in the goalscorer charts this term.

Spalletti spoke positively about his player afterwards, and was keen to highlight how the striker is less vocal in his protests on the pitch.

"There are some things that shouldn't interest us on the pitch, which concerns different stuff than what should draw our attention," he added.

"Tonight there was an incident where we could have had a different reaction. Instead, it all remained orderly. The match must be managed as we did."

Victor Osimhen extended his lead atop the goal charts as he helped Serie A leaders Napoli to a 3-0 win against rock-bottom Cremonese.

The Nigeria international prodded home a close-range finish in the second half to add to Khvicha Kvaratskhelia's earlier effort at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. Eljif Elmas added a late third, making sure.

For home coach Luciano Spalletti, the three points came with a side order of revenge after his side were knocked out of the Coppa Italia last month by their visitors, and they go 16 points clear for now.

But for Cremonese boss Davide Ballardini, the fight to seal top-flight survival is growing dimmer by each matchday, despite a spirited performance from his team.

Taking to the field in the Valentine's Day strip they debuted against the same opponents in their earlier cup clash, Napoli dominated matters across the first quarter.

It was little surprise when they opened the scoring in the 21st minute, with Kvaratskhelia seizing on a poor clearance to dance his way back into the box for a low finish.

Both teams fluffed further good chances, including a missed header for Osimhen, while the hosts also had a penalty appeal waved away just before the break.

Hirving Lozano went close to adding a second Napoli goal seven minutes into the second half, when he forced Marco Carnesecchi into an acrobatic save.

There was no denying Osimhen in the 65th minute, as he flicked Kim Min-jae's header over the line following a corner kick that was parried by the goalkeeper.

That gave Osimhen a 17th league goal of the season in just his 18th appearance, with his haul putting him five clear of Ademola Lookman and Lautaro Martinez in joint-second.

With a two-goal cushion, Napoli could have cruised to the finish line, but Elmas fired in with just over 10 minutes to go to ensure it would be an even more comfortable conclusion.

Luciano Spalletti will not discuss a new contract while Napoli continue their Scudetto bid, saying any talks regarding his future will only "create problems" for the Serie A leaders.

Napoli appear destined to clinch their first league title since the Diego Maradona era in this campaign, having built a huge 13-point lead over nearest rivals Inter at the top of the table. 

Only Bayern Munich (one) have lost fewer games across all competitions than Napoli (two) this season among teams in Europe's top five leagues.

Sunday's clash with Cremonese marks the start of a key period in the Partenopei's season, with the first leg of a Champions League last-16 tie against Eintracht Frankfurt to come on February 21.

Spalletti's contract with Napoli expires at the end of this season, although the club reportedly have the option to trigger a 12-month extension.

Asked about his future at Saturday's pre-match press conference, Spalletti said: "My contract is a tiny detail within a great occasion.

"If we want to create problems for ourselves then let's talk about my contract, or the players'. These talks create problems.

"Let's only think about tomorrow, we eat with the present. Everyone has a desire for the future, but it comes through the present and we must succeed by focusing on the game."

Napoli have won their last eight home Serie A games and are bidding to record a ninth successive win on their own turf for the first time since September 2016.

While Napoli's sizeable advantage in the standings has supporters discussing when, rather than if, they might wrap up the title, Spalletti is uninterested in such debates. 

"If we project ourselves beyond the Cremonese game, we create problems," he added.

"I hear things about how many points are enough, how many we still need, then I'm not good at reckoning and you'll be angry with us.

"Even I wouldn't have expected these points and this gap, like everyone else."

Napoli coach Luciano Spalletti is plotting an offensive on two fronts in the final months of the season as he hopes to win Serie A and the Champions League.

Spalletti's side were comfortable 3-0 winners away to Spezia on Sunday, briefly increasing their lead at the summit to 16 points.

Inter had the chance to trim Napoli's lead to 13 points later in the day, as they chased victory in the Milan derby, but even that gap would appear to be unassailable given the form of the front-runners this season.

If Napoli do manage to win the domestic title, it will end a barren run that stretches back to 1990 and be their first without the inspirational influence of Diego Maradona, who was also behind their success three years earlier.

Winning Serie A would be momentous, but Napoli are also into the last 16 of the Champions League and face Eintracht Frankfurt next – the Naples side have never won Europe's premier competition, nor its predecessor, the European Cup.

Spalletti wants to put that right.

"There are moments in life when results are achieved and in those moments you either settle or try to double down," he told Sky Sport Italia.

"We have no doubts, we've decided to double down.

"We go and play the matches trying to do something for the love of the fans, for the people who were perhaps even today at home praying for us because they love us. We must be proud of that."

Napoli's key men – Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Victor Osimhen – got the goals, with the latter netting twice.

Kvaratskhelia – who also teed up Osimhen's second – became only the fifth player across the top five European leagues to reach double figures for goals (10) and assists (12) this season.

Meanwhile, Osimhen's brace made him just the fourth Napoli player ever to score 16 times in the first 21 matches of a Serie A campaign.

But both were the targets of verbal barrages from Spalletti in the first half – that seemed to do the trick.

"It was because we need their quality, their inspiration, their imagination," Spalletti said. "When the matches flatten out, they are the ones who can make the difference and open the way.

"You have to find the first striker, play it out wide to open up the channels. Just moving it around isn't enough.

"The pitch was very difficult, dry underneath, it wasn't easy to find the rhythm we're used to, so sometimes you have to play direct to Osimhen, making the most of the fact he's really strong from a physical point of view."

Napoli are next in action in a week's time, on Sunday, February 12, when they host winless Cremonese.

Roma head coach Jose Mourinho has congratulated Napoli on already wrapping up the Serie A title, despite the season only being halfway complete.

Napoli are 12 points clear of closest challengers Milan at the summit after winning 16 of their opening 19 games and losing just once.

They are just the third different team in Serie A history, after Juventus three times and Inter once, to have won that number of games in the first half of a season.

Roma will look to halt Napoli's momentum at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Sunday, but regardless of the result, Mourinho can only see one outcome in the title race.

"I'll say what I always say: they have already won the Scudetto, and deservedly so," Mourinho said at Saturday's pre-match press conference.

"They are an excellent team, with an excellent coach in Luciano Spalletti. They are now 12 points ahead and there are no teams that scare them. The Scudetto is theirs.

"We won't just step out of the way for them, but they have already won the championship. Congratulations to them."

Napoli are unbeaten in eight of their past nine Serie A matches against Roma, with their sole defeat in that run coming in November 2019 (a 2-1 loss at Stadio Olimpico).

Among the 10 coaches Mourinho has faced at least four times in Serie A, Spalletti is the one he has the worst win percentage against (20 per cent), with just one win from five.

For Spalletti, though, it is still a case of one game at a time as Napoli target an elusive first title since the 1989-1990 season in the days of Diego Maradona.

"The results of other teams is not down to us, so we must therefore always behave the same and play well, while also being humble," Spalletti told reporters.

"We pay attention to taking it one step at a time, concentrating on where we put our feet. We work daily and never beyond."

Napoli are unbeaten in their past four home league games against Roma – not since between 1985 and 1989 have they enjoyed a longer such streak (a run of seven). 

Napoli must seize their "unprecedented opportunity" to win the Scudetto after reaching 50 points at the halfway mark of the Serie A season by beating Salernitana, says Luciano Spalletti.

Goals from Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Victor Osimhen helped Napoli to a routine 2-0 victory over the strugglers on Saturday, moving them 12 points clear of second-placed Milan ahead of the Rossoneri's trip to Lazio on Tuesday.

The result made Napoli just the third team to reach 50 points in the first half of a Serie A season, after Juventus (in 2013-14 and 2018-19) and Inter (in 2006-07).

No side has ever failed to win Serie A after reaching a half-century of points at this stage of a campaign, and head coach Spalletti knows Napoli have an incredible opportunity to claim their first league title since 1990. 

"We know that we have an unprecedented opportunity," Spalletti told DAZN after the win. "We must not squander the possibilities we have. We must remain humble and do things professionally."

Napoli had to remain patient before making the breakthrough in Salerno, recording their lowest shot tally in the first half of a Serie A match (two) since February 2021 (one v Atalanta).

The Partenopei were good value for their victory after Di Lorenzo hammered home on the stroke of half-time, however, leading Spalletti to praise the way they improved as the game went on.  

"These matches can be conditioned by us having too much responsibility," he said.

"You have to take the field with the right mentality and always play football well, with the correct rhythm, which is what makes you win the games. 

"In the first half we couldn't find the spaces and indeed we could have risked some dangerous restarts. In the second half, however, everyone did very well."

As well as his first goal of the season in Serie A, Di Lorenzo's opener represented his first league strike on the road since he found the net at Sassuolo in March 2021.

Reflecting on Napoli's incredible campaign to date, the captain credited his team-mates for their response to the pre-season exits of key players including Kalidou Koulibaly, Fabian Ruiz, Lorenzo Insigne and Dries Mertens.

"It's a beautiful first half [of the season]," he said. "We lost important players last summer, but we got off to a great start with a new group. We have to continue like this.

"We've improved a lot in game management. We know that every game will be difficult. Tonight's is a great victory."

Serie A leaders Napoli lost to basement side Cremonese to exit the Coppa Italia and be left with "so much disappointment".

This looks like being a dream season for the Partenopei, who have established a nine-point advantage at the top of the table as they bid for a first Scudetto since 1990.

Luciano Spalletti's side are also through in the Champions League after an impressive group stage, but there will be no improbable treble.

That is because a seemingly straightforward Coppa tie against 10-man Cremonese saw Napoli eliminated on Tuesday.

Cremonese have not won a single game in Serie A all season but reached the round of 16 for just the third time in their history thanks to a penalty shoot-out success following a 2-2 draw.

Napoli, whose line-up showed 10 changes from their stunning 5-1 defeat of Juventus on Friday, looked to be heading through after Juan Jesus and Giovanni Simeone scored in quick succession in the first half to cancel out Charles Pickel's opener.

But Felix Afena-Gyan pulled Cremonese level three minutes from time, and the strugglers survived extra time even after Leonardo Sernicola was sent off.

In a shoot-out, only Napoli substitute Stanislav Lobotka missed – a costly error for a team who had also introduced Victor Osimhen from the bench by that point.

"We are sorry," coach Spalletti told Mediaset. "There is so much disappointment.

"We always have to go through the management of the game, of the ball, and we have not been as good as we usually are.

"But then the game was in complete safety because they, apart from a few balls to the attackers, could not do much. We conceded goals in a situation where we lost two balls that were going out.

"Then we scored two goals and wasted several chances, but unfortunately that's how it works. When you question a game that was under management then it becomes complicated."

Luciano Spalletti hailed Victor Osimhen for his performance in Napoli's 5-1 thrashing of Juventus and says he is "amazed" by what the striker still has to offer.

Osimhen opened the scoring for Napoli in Friday's top-of-the-table Serie A clash with a close-range finish, ending Juve's run of 770 minutes without conceding in the league.

The 24-year-old then assisted Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, before doubling his strike tally in the second half in between goals from Amir Rrahmani and Elif Elmas.

He is only the third player to score and assist in the first half against Juve over the past 15 seasons, after Cagliari's Luca Gagliano and Roma's Diego Perotti (both in 2020).

But while now boasting 13 goals and three assists in 17 appearances this season, Spalletti believes there is more to come from the Nigeria international.

"I am amazed by the potential Osimhen hasn't put into practice yet," Spalletti told DAZN. "He is devastating on long balls, can stand strong physically and has courage too.

"He's had his face cut two or three times because he never backs down. He almost always takes risks but he's a player who has potential and room for improvement."

Napoli have now scored 64 goals in 24 matches this season, making them the fourth-highest scoring team across Europe's top five leagues in all competitions.

More important than that is the 10-point margin Napoli now have on Juventus and Milan at the Serie A summit, though the latter have a game in hand at Lecce on Saturday.

The Partenopei are heavy favourites to win their first Scudetto since the 1989-90 season, even if Spalletti has suggested otherwise, after sending out another message.

"The only message is to ourselves," Spalletti said. "Juventus are a colossus and that run of results they were on allowed them to go into this match in second place.

"What we said before kick-off was that we didn't want to end the game with remorse or being hesitant. Instead, we attacked in an open way and took control of the match."

Angel Di Maria had levelled up before half-time for Juve, who entered the game on an eight-match winning run in the league without conceding a single goal.

Despite Napoli stretching their lead at the top, Juventus defender Danilo is not giving up hope of catching Spalletti's side in the second half of the season.

"The Scudetto will be decided in June," he said. "We will think only match-to-match; only in this way can we get higher in the standings. Then we will see what happens.

"Juve must always aim for the Scudetto. We must understand that from tomorrow our thinking must change. As a club we know we have to leave everything on the pitch."

Luciano Spalletti responded to Massimiliano Allegri's claims that Napoli are Scudetto favourites by insisting the pressure is on second-place Juventus ahead of Friday's contest.

Juve are on a remarkable run of eight straight Serie A wins without conceding – their best such run since March 2018 – heading into the game at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

Napoli remain seven points clear of their opponents, however, having lost just once all season – a 1-0 defeat to Inter last week that they responded to with victory over Sampdoria.

Allegri has constantly stressed finishing in the top four is Juve's main objective for the season and said on Thursday that the title is still Napoli's to lose.

However, Spalletti does not believe that is the case and joked it is impossible for Allegri to disguise the fact his side have more to lose than Napoli.

"I understand that for Allegri it is convenient to play as supporting actor," Spalletti said at his pre-match press conference. 

"But for a Juve side that is always stuffed with champions it is impossible to hide from the role of favourites.

"Certain investments pay off only by playing for the Scudetto and winning the Champions League. It's useless putting on a hat or a fake beard. Fourth place doesn't satisfy Juve."

Spalletti is one win shy of equalling Carlo Ancelotti (275) for the most victories in Serie A since the 1983-84 season, with Allegri just behind on 273.

Napoli boast the best attack in the Italian top flight, with 39 goals in 17 matches, but they come up against the strongest defence as Juve have shipped only seven goals all term.

Asked if it will be a case of style over substance in the top-of-the-table clash, Spalletti said: "Sometimes you leave a mark more with the visible than what you bring home.

"We will do what we like and what the fans like. We had [Maurizio] Sarri here before, who won nothing but people talk only about his football and his values.

"There was also [Rafael] Benitez, who won a couple of titles and was well-spoken of but didn't impress in the same way as Sarri, so you have to be careful.

"Juventus are good at dropping down in front of the penalty area. Then there's the will of the football you want to play and the skills you think your players have.

"Then you consider whether you can like it as a spectacle beyond the wins."

Napoli are unbeaten in their past two Serie A games against Juve (W1 D1), though not since 2011 under Walter Mazzarri have they gone on a longer unbeaten run in this fixture.

An Edin Dzeko header was enough for Inter to beat Napoli 1-0 at San Siro on Wednesday and end the Serie A leaders' unbeaten start to the season.

After their closest challengers Milan beat Salernitana away earlier the same day, Napoli's lead at the top was cut to five points as the Partenopei began 2023 in underwhelming fashion.

Inter were unfortunate not to be ahead at the break after Federico Dimarco and Romelu Lukaku missed great first-half opportunities.

But Dzeko powerfully nodded home the winner 10 minutes after half-time, as Inter remain in fourth but crucially move within eight points of Napoli at the summit in their bid to chase Luciano Spalletti's side down.

Inter should have been ahead within four minutes, but Dimarco could only fire over after Lukaku picked him out at the back post.

Dimarco's fellow wing-back could not do any better, Matteo Darmian failing to hit the target after excellent link-up play between Lukaku and Dzeko set him up.

Lukaku missed a golden opportunity before the break, latching onto a throughball but wildly firing over as Inter failed to take advantage of their superior chances in the opening 45 minutes.

But they eventually capitalised in the 56th minute when Dimarco's pinpoint delivery from the left found Dzeko in space to power a header past Alex Meret.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia nearly got a rapid equaliser as he slammed into the side-netting.

The visitors pushed for an equaliser late on, but Inter held out despite Giacomo Raspadori stinging the palms of Andre Onana with a fierce effort in the dying seconds.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is enjoying life at Napoli amid reports linking him with a move to the Premier League, recalling how he was desperate to sign for the Partenopei ahead of this campaign.

Kvaratskhelia has been a revelation since joining Luciano Spalletti's side from Dinamo Batumi in July, scoring six goals and adding five assists in Serie A this season.

With Napoli eight points clear at the summit ahead of Serie A's resumption next month, no player in the Italian top flight has bettered the Georgia winger's total of 11 goal contributions.

While the likes of Manchester City and Tottenham have previously been touted as possible future destinations for Kvaratskhelia, recent reports have suggested Newcastle United have made him their top target for the January transfer window.

However, the 21-year-old cited life in Naples and his enjoyment of Spalletti's style of play as being key to his happiness while recalling his decision to join the club.

"The negotiations with Napoli lasted a long time, about two years, I was very happy that such a great team was interested in me," he told DAZN. "I couldn't wait to wear the Napoli shirt. 

"I felt every now and then that there was interest from other teams as well, but having the offer from Napoli, I never thought about anything else. I wanted to play for Napoli.

"When I happened to watch their matches, I thought I could adapt perfectly to that type of game. I really liked how they played and it happened. 

"Here, the city lives for the love of football, everyone knows football in Naples. It is motivating when the whole city cheers for you and transmits love to you in every moment." 

Asked whether he had surprised himself by emerging as one of Europe's most dangerous attackers, Kvaratskhelia added: "I'm still a long way from this definition, but I'll do my best to confirm it. 

"In any case, no, I didn't expect it. It's very difficult to think that from such a small country you can get to play in such a big team. 

"It was my dream to play in a renowned top club like Napoli. However, I still have a long way to go and many goals to achieve."

Kvaratskhelia leads his Napoli team-mates for dribbles completed (19) and carries ending with a chance created (12) in Serie A this term, leading supporters to dub him 'Kvaradona' in reference to club legend Diego Maradona.  

The Georgian failed to hide his glee when asked about that nickname, saying: "When just a small part of the Maradona name is associated with yours, it's an honour.

"It creates an emotion different from the other [nicknames] – it fills me with pride. Today 'Kvaradona' is definitely my favourite."

Victor Osimhen has ruled out leaving Napoli before the end of the season, outlining his determination to see out their Scudetto bid before considering a move.

Manchester United have been touted as contenders for Osimhen's signature after terminating the contract of Cristiano Ronaldo, while Tottenham have previously been linked with the Nigeria international.

Osimhen leads Serie A's scoring charts with nine goals this season, and his superb form helped Napoli move eight points clear at the summit before the World Cup break.

Napoli have not won the Scudetto since Diego Maradona inspired them to glory in the 1989-90 campaign, and Osimhen is determined to end that drought before moving on.

"The future is this moment, it is winning something important in Italy. It is difficult to think of anything better than Napoli," he told Il Mattino.

"This is one of the greatest teams in Europe, it's an extraordinary club, and it's normal that now I'm only focused on what we have to do this season. 

"Because we haven't done anything yet, we have to win something. Then we'll see what happens."

Osimhen credits his own development to the methods of Napoli coach Luciano Spalletti, who led the side to a third-placed finish in his first campaign in charge last season.

"I always change, every day. It's important to continue to change, to grow, to always take a step forward," Osimhen said.

"My growth is linked to Spalletti, he believes in me, he gives me stimuli, makes me work hard and never lets me stop. 

"With him, everything is more simple because you understand that it's a job that he makes you do to improve further. It's just the beginning for me, I haven't reached any goal yet."

Inter must "speed up" if they are to close the 11-point gap to Serie A leaders Napoli, according to striker Edin Dzeko.

The Nerazzurri lifted the Serie A title in the 2020-21 campaign for the first time in 11 years, though they then watched their city rivals Milan end their own drought the following season as Inter fell two points short.

Their bid to wrestle back the title from Milan this season has started poorly, having lost five of their opening 15 league matches, leaving them in fifth ahead of a return to action after the World Cup break.

But it is not Milan who lead Serie A, but instead their next opponents Napoli, who visit San Siro on January 4.

Under Luciano Spalletti, Napoli are unbeaten through 15 matches and hold an eight-point advantage to Milan in second, while Inter are lagging even further behind.

However, Dzeko believes Inter can still catch Napoli, though the forward acknowledged a sharp upturn in form will be required if they are to do so.

"We have to give credit to them if they [Napoli] have accumulated this gap," Dzeko told La Gazzetta dello Sport. "Of course, 11 points are too many.

"It's pointless to think back on those months, rack your brains and rack your brains.

"The only thing we can do now, I repeat, is to speed up, because you can always make up for it."

Inter visit Napoli for the return clash on May 21.