Luciano Spalletti is delighted with Napoli‘s 5-2 win over Hellas Verona and even compares Kim and Stanis Lobotka to Kalidou Kouliabaly and Andres Iniesta.
The Partenopei started the season on the right foot, sealing a comfortable 5-2 win away at Hellas Verona.
They saw Dries Mertens, Lorenzo Insigne and Kalidou Koulibaly leave in the summer, but their new signings Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Kim proved to be up to the task today.
“We need time, in some situations we showed that we are still young, even if in the end we won the game quite comfortably,” Spalletti told DAZN.
“Kvaratskhelia was too naive sometimes, but he is a complete player with an important technique. He scored an amazing goal, a header, not his best quality. He can do even better.
“Kim was perfect, majestic. In some circumstances, he was similar to Koulibaly.
“I was sure we would put in a great performance because I saw all the players interested and determined. Sometimes we must be more wicked and raise the rhythm, but the lads deserve the praise.”
Piotr Zielinski was looking for redemption after a disappointing season in 2021-22 and got his name on the scoresheet at the Stadio Bentegodi.
“He was perfect with his run into open spaces, I don’t remember seeing him ever lose the ball. He scored a great goal,” said Spalletti.
“He is the first one to be upset about how last season was, but he had already shown that this season would have been different.”
Stanislav Lobotka also scored his first goal of the season and Spalletti was so captured by his performance that he even compared his midfielder to Andres Iniesta.
“He [Lobotka] looked like Iniesta today, he played an exceptional game,” the coach said.
“He gives the team the chance to play in open spaces. We know how much the fans love us, they can be sure that we have the same passion. Nobody will ever take things lightly here, they can be sure about it.”
Napoli host Monza at the Stadio Maradona in the second match of the season next week. Their third game is away at Fiorentina on Sunday, August 28.