Napoli sporting director Riccardo Bigon praised the tenacity of his side after their 3-0 win at Fiorentina on Friday.
An Edison Cavani brace and Ezequiel Lavezzi strike gave Walter Mazzarri's side a second consecutive victory and moved them into fifth place on the standings.
Bigon was surprised at the level of performance, particularly given the Naples outfit have a UEFA Champions League clash with Chelsea on Tuesday.
"To be honest I didn't expect my team to be at a 100 percent with the Champions League match so close, because I know how challenging it is from a mental point of view for a young team like us," Bigon said.
"We don't have much experience in European competitions, but I was also sure the team would have played a good match ... we managed to open some space in Fiorentina's defence and we created a lot of chances."
"Let's say we opened the game well, we were good in keeping the lead and score a second goal."
Meanwhile, Fiorentina forward Stevan Jovetic said his side were focused on avoiding relegation from the top flight.
The talented attacker, whose team is 10 points clear of 18th-placed Lecce, also said he was unhappy with his performance against Napoli.
"I tell my supporters I'm sorry for tonight's defeat. Our aim is to avoid being relegated, then if we can make something more we will do it, but for now being out of the relegation zone remains our main aim," Jovetic said.
"We surely expected to play better, me included, I had to play better, I didn't like my performance, but it happens. It happened also because Napoli managed to close the spaces well in defence and it wasn't easy for me to pass."
| # | Player | Bookings |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | A. Boruc | |
| 5 | A. Gamberini | |
| 16 | M. Cassani | |
| 14 | C. Natali | |
| 6 |
J. Vargas
|
|
| 15 | M. Nastasić | |
| 85 |
V. Behrami
|
|
| 18 | R. Montolivo | |
| 10 |
R. Olivera
|
 45+2'
|
| 11 | Amauri |
45+4'
|
| 8 | S. Jovetić | |
| Coach: D. Rossi | ||
| # | Player | Bookings |
|---|---|---|
| 83 | A. Rosati |
73'
|
| 8 | A. Dossena | |
| 28 | P. Cannavaro | |
| 14 |
H. Campagnaro
|
|
| 85 | M. Britos |
34'
|
| 20 | B. Džemaili | |
| 11 | C. Maggio | |
| 88 | G. İnler | |
| 17 |
M. Hamšík
|
33'
|
| 7 |
E. Cavani
|
 3'
54'
|
| 22 | E. Lavezzi |
90+2'
|
| Coach: W. Mazzarri | ||
| # | Player | Bookings |
|---|---|---|
| 17 |
for V. Behrami 46' |
|
| 32 |
for R. Olivera 65' |
|
| 7 |
for J. Vargas 75' |
|
| 19 | ||
| 22 | ||
| 89 | ||
| 92 |
| # | Player | Bookings |
|---|---|---|
| 2 |
for H. Campagnaro 11' |
|
| 23 |
for M. Hamšík 70' |
|
| 29 |
for E. Cavani 74' |
|
| 1 | ||
| 18 | ||
| 21 | ||
| 31 |
