Llorente: ‘Such Gattuso hunger’

Fernando Llorente and Alex Meret were immediately impressed by new Napoli coach Gennaro Gattuso’s “hunger and determination.”

The former Milan boss took over from sacked Carlo Ancelotti on Wednesday and will make his debut on Saturday with Parma.

“If we stay together, we can get back on our feet. We want to return to the top places and prove we have more to give in this season,” said the striker at a press conference presenting the 2020 club calendar.

Fernando Llorente and Alex Meret were immediately impressed by new Napoli coach Gennaro Gattuso’s “hunger and determination.”

The former Milan boss took over from sacked Carlo Ancelotti on Wednesday and will make his debut on Saturday with Parma.

“If we stay together, we can get back on our feet. We want to return to the top places and prove we have more to give in this season,” said the striker at a press conference presenting the 2020 club calendar.

“Gattuso immediately showed his hunger and determination. He can help us a great deal and hope we can immediately see a strong Napoli performance against Parma this weekend.”

Goalkeeper Meret was also present at the conference and agreed Gattuso has made quite an impact in training.

“He immediately transmitted his fire and intensity over these first two days. We are not even halfway through the season, so there is still time to make up lost ground.”

Napoli sit in joint seventh place with Parma after just 21 points and Llorente points to a change of pace.

“This is a strong team and we must give more. It’s not easy when you are in these situations, as the confidence levels drop and that can make a big difference.”

Napoli have reached the Champions League Round of 16 and go into the draw as group runners-up.

“From the outside, people see Napoli as a very strong team, so everyone knows their style of football and their fans. We’re in a tricky situation at the moment, but want to get back to playing the way we did a few years ago and make the fans happy.”