Maurizio Sarri thinks Napoli “played better” in the 1-1 draw with Sassuolo than tonight’s 3-0 victory over Inter. “We were more determined.”
Piotr Zielinski and Marek Hamsik made it 2-0 within six minutes, then Lorenzo Insigne added a third after the break.
“We had a bit of luck and I don’t know if it was down to extra determination or anything else,” the Coach told Sky Sport Italia and Mediaset Premium.
Maurizio Sarri thinks Napoli “played better” in the 1-1 draw with Sassuolo than tonight’s 3-0 victory over Inter. “We were more determined.”
Piotr Zielinski and Marek Hamsik made it 2-0 within six minutes, then Lorenzo Insigne added a third after the break.
“We had a bit of luck and I don’t know if it was down to extra determination or anything else,” the Coach told Sky Sport Italia and Mediaset Premium.
“In terms of our football, we probably played better against Sassuolo, but tonight we were more determined and gritty in attack. People say it’s important to be clinical upfront and we were there today.
“I see an improvement in the individual focus of the players. We are a team who cannot let anything slide, otherwise we become vulnerable.
“I think this evening our midfield was a bit too stretched out and that allowed passes through the lines, so we could’ve done better in that sense. It is also true that I used to very attacking central midfielders, but they could’ve moved better.
“I signed Zielinski at Empoli to be a trequartista and to be honest I didn’t like him much there. Due to an injury, he ended up being used in central midfield and I think he’s got the right technical and physical characteristics for it.
“Manolo Gabbiadini had an excellent game tonight and of the three strikers he was the one I liked the most. Recently he’s been out more because of him than our decisions – he had a calf injury and a three-game ban.
“He had some difficulties this season, but tonight I saw Gabbiadini alive and kicking, he had a few shots saved by Samir Handanovic and moved well, but didn’t get the necessary service from his teammates.”
Why were Napoli playing with their white away shirt at the San Paolo?
“I think the President decided it, but to be honest I’m not sure. I got into the locker room and saw the shirts were white. As we were off a run of poor results at home, I didn’t pose any resistance. If we’d been winning lately, I would’ve very much resisted,” smiled the highly-superstitious Sarri.