Napoli captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo credits coach Luciano Spalletti with bringing ‘a winning mentality’ to the squad after their 5-1 domination of Scudetto rivals Juventus.
The Bianconeri came into this match off eight consecutive Serie A victories without conceding a single goal and let in seven all season, but were humiliated by a Manita at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
“There was an air of calm and belief in the locker room, as the coach prepared it very well over the week and we did what he asked of us,” Di Lorenzo told DAZN.
“It was a wonderful victory. Tonight there really was such a fantastic atmosphere, we all played together and this sense of unity can take us far.”
Napoli had already got off to a spectacular start last season, but this time have just one Serie A defeat, making them Winter Champions with a 10-point lead at the top of the table.
“In this year-and-a-half we have really improved in our approach to games and a lot of the credit goes to Spalletti. He gives us this sense of hunger and conviction. We are achieving incredible results and must continue like this.
“There is a big advantage, but we all know that nothing has been decided yet and we need to continue.”
Napoli have come close to the Scudetto in recent years, working also with Maurizio Sarri, Carlo Ancelotti and Gennaro Gattuso, so Di Lorenzo was asked how Spalletti differs from his predecessors.
“He brought a winning mentality, which doesn’t mean you necessarily have to win, but the desire to push beyond your capabilities.”
The impressive performances are not just in Serie A, where they suffered only one defeat all season against Inter on January 4, but also in the Champions League where they won five out of six games and topped the group ahead of Liverpool.