Inter Milan coach Walter Mazzarri has claimed that he deserves respect from Napoli supporters as he returns to the Stadio San Paolo for the first time since leaving in the summer.

The 52-year-old called time on his four-year stint in Naples in favour of succeeding Andrea Stramaccioni at the Nerazzurri in May.

"I spent four unforgettable years there. Wonderful years but now I'm thinking about preparing my players, making sure they know what could happen tomorrow," he told reporters.

"I think that intelligent, level-headed people are capable of recognising people's merits and faults.

"At all the clubs where I've worked the fans have appreciated me. Fans have to respect what a person decides to do at the end of a contract."

Inter can move to within a point of third-placed Napoli in Serie A with victory this evening.