Napoli's 3-2 victory over Salzburg could prove to be a pivotal moment in the season, according to Carlo Ancelotti.
“Tonight could be a turning point for us,” the Azzurri coach said after watching his side secure a morale-boosting 3-2 win in Austria. “I'm happy for lots of reasons tonight but above all for the team spirit we showed. I was expecting that sort of performance from the team – displaying not just skill but character too. We got off to an excellent start, then had a few lulls in the first half after we scored but everyone stayed focused."
“Salzburg are an excellent side and what pleased me was the fact we were able to match them and impose our game at a ground like this, where they haven't been beaten in years.”
On Mertens: “It was the perfect night for him to reach his scoring milestone. This was our first away win in Europe for three years and his goals were crucial.”
On his hug with Lorenzo Insigne: “I felt sure he could have an impact on the game. I told him he'd win the match for us and we hugged after he scored. I planned the game taking 14 players into consideration, as I'd said, and all the lads who came on injected energy into the team.”
Are Napoli now one step closer to qualifying from the group? “Let's say we have a match point to play at home against Salzburg, but you always have to be on top of your game in football, especially on the international stage.”
(Photo Getty Images)
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Source: legaseriea.it