Lavezzi inspires Napoli to success

Napoli forward Ezequiel Lavezzi believes his side’s 3-1 away win at Parma on Sunday has showed their ambition.

The Naples-based club entered the match with one win from their last five and their bad form looked like continuing when Raffaele Palladino’s 29th-minute goal had the hosts 1-0 up at half-time.

But Lavezzi, in his first match back from a three-game ban, inspired the comeback with a terrific solo performance that saw Napoli claw within one point of second-placed Inter.

“There’s no point hiding it. Napoli are ambitious and want to fight for important targets this season,” Lavezzi said.

The Argentine was at his best in the second half, setting up Marek Hamsik’s 52nd minute equaliser before he scored himself just six minutes later, to notch his ninth goal in all competitions this season.

Lavezzi said credit belonged to the team and felt he owed his teammates after his ban robbed them of one of their most creative players at such a vital point in the season.

“The team was decisive, not me. I did miss the playing field, as I always want to play and I felt bad at leaving my teammates in this difficult time,” he said.

“After a poor first half, we stepped out on to the pitch in a different way and gave it our all to earn the victory.”