Maurizio Sarri played down Napoli’s sixth consecutive Serie A victory. “We didn’t feel pressure from Juventus.”

The Partenopei recovered from an early goal to crush Empoli 5-1, staying top of the table despite Juve flattening Chievo 4-0 this morning.

Maurizio Sarri played down Napoli’s sixth consecutive Serie A victory. “We didn’t feel pressure from Juventus.”

The Partenopei recovered from an early goal to crush Empoli 5-1, staying top of the table despite Juve flattening Chievo 4-0 this morning.

“It’s right that the San Paolo expects a victory, as they help us to get over difficult situations, but the problem was trying to overcome an excellent Empoli side,” Sarri told Sky Sport Italia.

“We are happy with the performance, with how the team emerged from the situation and we didn’t feel any pressure from the Juventus result. Juve are having their own campaign, we just happen to be nearby.

“Dreams are wonderful, then there is reality. We’ve had a great campaign so far and we feel real hunger and desire, but not a duty. Not that.

“We are aiming to go forward and if we look too far towards the horizon then our chances of doing well diminish.

“We have to learn to be more solid defensively and focus on getting points even when we don’t score four or five goals. There are teams who concede fewer goals than us and we have to work in that direction.

"It was wonderful to see many old friends and colleagues from my time at Empoli, where I learned so much. I was worried, as recently they've been getting such great results."

Napoli had not managed six consecutive Serie A wins since February 1988.

Lorenzo Insigne was again decisive, scoring with a free kick and assisting Gonzalo Higuain’s header.

“Lorenzo is one of the most talented young players in Italy. There are times when he has to focus only on expressing his talent, and then moments when he has to help the team and work on covering the spaces. That’s not for the entire match, just around 10 minutes even, but I have to say he is doing it.”

Sarri shrugged off praise for himself too, such as the comparisons to ex-Milan legend Arrigo Sacchi.

“My generation studied Sacchi, someone who changed the way football was played and even viewed in our country. I don’t think any Coach has ever had such a strong impact on the sport.

“It is obviously pleasing to be compared to him, but it’s really too much.”

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