The three-week international break has not diminished the pace of the reigning Italian champions. Capitalising on a poor clearance by Parma’s goalkeeper, Petar Sucic opened the scoring in the 13th minute. Five minutes later, Hakan Calhanoglu doubled the lead from the penalty spot.
Inter Milan surged to the top of Serie A on Saturday thanks to three goals in the first half an hour to outclass Parma 3-0 at the San Siro. Overlooked for the France squad for the Nations League games, Marcus Thuram reminded Zinedine Zidane of his quality by making it 3-0 after 31 minutes with his third goal of the campaign.
Even without captain Lautaro Martinez, who was rested until the hour mark after his return from Argentina and Lionel Messi’s international farewell match, the titleholders were never threatened. “I worked really hard with the coaches and players who were there during the international break. The important thing was to play well in the first match back.”
“Of course I would have liked to have been selected, but you have to respect this decision,” Thuram said.
New Parma coach Alberto Gilardino got off to a losing start as his team never got into the game and sit 17th with four points. Under-pressure Napoli coach Massimiliano Allegri welcomes back Scotland midfielder Scott McTominay who underwent heart surgery last month and is on the bench for his first match since August 30.
