Inter Milan cruised to a 4-0 home win against Atalanta in Serie A on Wednesday, extending their lead at the top of the standings to 12 points as they edge closer to a 20th league title.
Inter, who have won all eight of their league games in 2024, are on 69 points from 26 games, comfortably ahead of second-placed Juventus with 57 and rivals AC Milan in third on 53.
"It's nice at the moment, but we know that it was in the past month that we've gained these 12 points to move ahead," coach Simone Inzaghi told a press conference. "We have to stay focused."
Defender Matteo Darmian put Inter in front in the 26th minute with a low strike from the edge of the box before Lautaro Martinez doubled the advantage in first-half stoppage time, firing a powerful shot inside the left post.
Federico Dimarco added a third for Inter in the 54th minute, netting on the follow-up after Atalanta keeper Marco Carnesecchi saved a penalty from Martinez, and Davide Frattesi nodded home an Alexis Sanchez free kick to seal the win.
Victor Osimhen's hat-trick helped Napoli thrash struggling Sassuolo 6-1, the reigning Italian champions' first win under caretaker coach Francesco Calzona.
Napoli, who appointed Calzona last week following the sacking of Walter Mazzarri, secured their first victory in four league games.
They are ninth in the standings with 40 points from 26 games, level with Lazio and eight behind Bologna in fourth.
Napoli started the match having earned 28 points fewer than last season after 25 games played, the worst ever record for an Italian champion team at this stage of their next campaign.
Hosts Sassuolo took the lead in the 17th minute through midfielder Uros Racic, who latched on to a poor clearance to score with a low shot into the corner of the net.
Amir Rrahmani levelled and Osimhen scored twice to put the visitors 3-1 up at half-time before the Nigerian striker completed his hat-trick soon after the break and winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia struck twice to complete the rout.
Sassuolo, who on Sunday fired coach Alessio Dionisi after suffering their seventh loss in 10 league games, are 18th with 20 points.
They and Salernitana are the only sides who have not yet won a match in the second part of the 2023-24 Serie A season.
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