Napoli defeated Club Brugge 5-0 at the Stadio San Paolo on Thursday evening in the opening game of Group D in the Europa League, a win that eases the pressure on Azzurri coach Maurizio Sarri.
The hosts raced in to a three goal lead after 24 minutes, thanks to a double from Dries Mertens and a fine effort from Jose Callejon. Napoli captain Marek Hamsik and Callejon completed the scoring in the second half to ease the southern giants to victory.
It only took the Partenopei four minutes to open their account, when a Jorginho pass found Callejon on the right, and the Spaniard floated the ball over the head of Club Brugge goalkeeper Sinan Bolat in to the far corner.
The home side continued to dominate possession, and it was no surprise when mid-way through the half they doubled the lead, as Callejon crossed from the right and Mertens was there to fire home from close range.
Moments later it was three, a quick free-kick from Jorginho was lifted over the Voetbalvereniging defence and Mertens turned on the volley and hit his shot in to the ground which beat Bolat, and put Napoli well ahead heading into the break.
Shortly after the re-start the home side increased their lead, as a superb ball from Mertens found Hamsik inside the box, and the Slovak rounded a hapless Bolat and slotted the ball into the far corner.
On the hour, Mertens had a great chance to complete his hat-trick, but his shot from a Hamsik pass was fired wide with the goal at his mercy.
Not long after the hosts made it five, as substitute Allen made a defence splitting pass which found Callejon, and the former Real Madrid midfielder made it five to complete the rout.
Napoli now head to Legia Warsaw in two weeks, while Club Brugge face a home tie against Midtjylland on match-day two.
