Hamsik, Mertens hat-tricks as Napoli hit seven

Slovakian international Marek Hamsik and Belgian star Dries Martens both hit hat-tricks as Napoli routed Bologna 7-1 on Saturday to go second in Serie A and three points behind leaders Juventus.

Napoli have now hit 55 goals in 23 league games this season although Maurizio Sarri’s men are still outsiders to pip Juve for the title with the defending champions having two games in hand.

Hamsik’s goals included a fine diving header and a sublime long-distance drive as he took his Napoli career total to 108 goals, passing Attila Sallustro, a star of the 1930s.

Only Diego Maradona has scored more goals for Napoli than Hamsik.

Hamsik believes victory will be a huge boost for his side who face Real Madrid in the Champions League later this month.

“Real Madrid will think we are a strong side and if we play like this, we can fight it out with anyone,” he said.

“We are all players who focus on movement and that can hurt opposition defences.”

Mertens, meanwhile, took his season total to a league leading 16 goals with 12 of those coming in the last eight matches. He has scored a remarkable three hat-tricks this term.

Napoli’s other goal on Saturday came from Lorenzo Insigne who hit the target from the penalty spot.

“We have scored many goals, yes, but in the last 12 games it’s 10 wins and two draws. This is why we have to focus only on what we do and ignore the other results,” Sarri told Sky Sport Italia.

“After a game like this I feel a little angry, as we created perhaps fewer scoring opportunities tonight than against Palermo, but then we scored one and tonight seven.”

The only drawback for Napoli was a red card for Jose Callejon while Bologna’s Adam Masina was also dismissed.

Bologna coach Roberto Donadoni said he knew it would not be his night when his team were 2-0 down within six minutes at the Stadio Dall’Ara.

His mood did not improve when Mattia Destro had a penalty saved.

“Our evening started badly and it was all downhill from there,” Donadoni said.

On Sunday, Juventus will face fourth-placed Inter Milan and tackle relegation-haunted Crotone next week.