Spalletti: ‘I’ll tell you why I didn’t shake Rui Vitoria’s hand’

Napoli coach Luciano Spalletti explained why he refused to shake Spartak Moscow manager Rui Vitoria’s hand. ‘He didn’t salute me before the game.’

The incident occurred after the final whistle in Moscow of the 2-1 Spartak Moscow victory in the Europa League.

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Rui Vitoria walked over with hand outstretched and smiling, Spalletti held up both hands to show he was well aware of the gesture and had no intention of participating.

“He didn’t salute me before the game. That is when you shake hands with the other coach, not at the end just because you won,” Spalletti told Sky Sport Italia.

“I always go to salute the visiting coach before the game. It’s too easy to do it afterwards only when you’ve won. You must welcome someone to your stadium.”

Video: Spalletti refuses to shake Spartak Moscow manager’s hand

As for the match, it started in the worst possible way for Napoli, as in the opening minute Stanislav Lobotka brought down Quincy Promes for a penalty.

“Unfortunately, conceding a goal right at the start made it difficult for us. We controlled the game after the break, but it was too late by then.

“We did what we needed to in the second half, but should’ve avoided conceding that goal at the start. I used a very attack-minded team and thought we could take the initiative, but that goal changed everything.”

Napoli made the visit without star names including Lorenzo Insigne, Victor Osimhen, Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa, Matteo Politano and Diego Demme.

It was their second consecutive defeat after the 3-2 Serie A loss to Inter at San Siro on Sunday.

“Our choices were too timid against Inter, whereas we played better tonight and had the right intention, even if we made a few too many misplaced passes.”