Napoli boss Gennaro Gattuso insists ‘quality is not enough to win games’ and warns Lorenzo Insigne: ‘I expect even more from him.’
The Partenopei face AZ Alkmaar away in Europa League tomorrow.
“It’s going to be a difficult game. They never lost in the league. If you give them space, they can hurt. We have great respect and we will have to play a good game,” Gattuso told Sky Sport.
Napoli boss Gennaro Gattuso insists ‘quality is not enough to win games’ and warns Lorenzo Insigne: ‘I expect even more from him.’
The Partenopei face AZ Alkmaar away in Europa League tomorrow.
“It’s going to be a difficult game. They never lost in the league. If you give them space, they can hurt. We have great respect and we will have to play a good game,” Gattuso told Sky Sport.
“We have to see if we will play with 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3. With the latter [Eljif] Elmas is the only one who can play with Fabián Ruiz and [Piotr] Zielinski.
"This team is technically strong and the players have understood they cannot afford not to make an extra run,” Gattuso continued.
“Quality is not enough, it makes you win the games, but not all of them. If we don’t get it into our heads that we need to make an extra run, then someone has to stay out.
"In my opinion, it is not a problem of numbers, you have to hold it up and not take it badly when you struggle.”
Napoli beat Roma 4-0 last weekend with Lorenzo Insigne who opened the account through a free-kick goal. Gattuso, however, believes the Napoli captain can do even more.
“We have to continue like this. Last year we used to fight, we did everything not to concede goals, we have to have the same attitude. The match with Roma is not enough, we need continuity.
“I still expect much more from Insigne. Technically, I cannot tell him anything, but he is the captain, he’s not a 22-years-old anymore. I want to see his character, he can improve.
“For his sacrifice, for the way he moves and technically, he is impeccable. I want to see him less grumpy and more cheerful. But he knows these things.”
Dries Mertens can also improve, according to Gattuso, while Victor Osimhen is still on the sidelines with an injury.
"Mertens is doing some technical mistakes and you don’t expect it with him,” Gattuso said.
“He is fundamental for the spirit, for how he faces the games. He can and must do better because a player that has that has glue on his feet must make the most of the chances he has.
“As for Osimhen, I hate to wait, but I also hate to see the guy not smiling, angry. He’s living it badly. We must be good to make him feel at ease.”