Lorenzo Insigne jokes Felipe Melo can’t beat Gonzalo Higuain up in NapoliInter. “He’d have to catch him first!”

The Scudetto showdown kicks off on Monday at 20.00 GMT, click here for a match preview.

This week Inter midfielder Melo told papers that Higuain is “like Mario Balotelli, the best way to stop him is to beat him up.”

Lorenzo Insigne jokes Felipe Melo can’t beat Gonzalo Higuain up in Napoli-Inter. “He’d have to catch him first!”

The Scudetto showdown kicks off on Monday at 20.00 GMT, click here for a match preview.

This week Inter midfielder Melo told papers that Higuain is “like Mario Balotelli, the best way to stop him is to beat him up.”

Today Insigne gave his response in La Gazzetta dello Sport. “He’d have to catch him first!

“I don’t care who scores, even Pepe Reina can get it in the net, as long as Napoli win. Inter are top of the table because they deserve to be there and in order to beat them we need a great Napoli with the passion of the crowd.

“Inter will be above all difficult for us strikers, because they have the strongest defensive record with just seven goals conceded.

“Mauro Icardi and his partners will also be tough for our defenders to deal with. Basically, Inter are in good shape, but we do not fear them.”

For the first time in many years, Napoli look like genuine title contenders. How is native Neapolitan Insigne dealing with the wave of enthusiasm?

“It would be absurd to say we didn’t believe. Clearly we have to be more rational and leave the euphoria to the fans. On a personal level I am relaxed and enjoying these sensations.

“It’s too early to talk about the Scudetto. For the moment we are second and will do everything we can to be first come Monday night. It’s tight at the top of the table and the other antagonists could catch up within a couple of weeks.”

Insigne has already beaten his Serie A personal best with seven goals, so what changed?

“The Coach, first of all. Maurizio Sarri had faith in me from the start, put me back in my natural role on the left side of attack and in that position I rediscovered my confidence as well as goals.”

There was one blot on the Insigne landscape, namely being dropped by Italy Coach Antonio Conte for recent friendlies against Belgium and Romania.

“I have always been relaxed. Conte said it was a technical decision. Good, then I’ll do everything I can to change his mind. The Nazionale is too precious for me to lose it.”

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