Spalletti Praises Insigne After Napoli Vs Venice: He Proved Why He Deserves To Be Captain

JAKARTA - Luciano Spalletti praised the mentality of Lorenzo Insigne who kept stepping to take the second penalty kick against Venezia after missing the first penalty. "He proved what it means to wear the Napoli armband."

In fact, the match was not the debut that Spaletti wanted as the new coach of Il Partenopei. The reason, Victor Osimhen was sent off in the 23rd minute for hitting Daan Heymans and then Insigne missed a penalty.

However, Insigne converted a second penalty and Eljif Elmas secured the 2-0 result at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

"We started slowly in the first half, Venezia did well and Paolo Zanetti set up a game that forced us to move the ball wide, so they counter-attacked," Spalletti told DAZN, as quoted by Footbal Italia, Monday.

"We were more efficient after the break and the captain, on his second penalty, proved what it means to wear the armband which is so important. In the most difficult moments, that's when the captain comes and shows you how it's done."

Insigne's future at Napoli remains completely uncertain, as his contract expires at the end of the season, and negotiations for an extension are practically non-existent.

“Players like him help those next to them mature and become stronger. With his attitude, the others followed that example. He earned the right to wear the armband and it has to be commended, though I never doubted it.

"He also did well to call on the crowd to continue to support us, because their presence can really help the team in difficult times."

In yesterday's press conference, Spalletti said 'happy with the team' and he repeated that after this 2-0 win.

"We have nothing short of and we can't complain. If you complain, it means you are getting into someone else's plans, you are destined to carry cans for other people and we don't want to do that.

"We want our identity and power."