Mazzarri: We need to be more ruthless

Napoli boss Walter Mazzarri believes his side made their 4-2 win over Lecce harder than it should have been in Serie A on Saturday.

Uruguay striker Edinson Cavani struck a brace at Stadio San Paolo as Napoli moved into fifth and extended their unbeaten run to four matches.

But, having given up 2-0 and 3-1 leads in a 3-3 draw with Juventus on Tuesday, they allowed strugglers Lecce to pull within a goal on two separate occasions in Saturday’s win.

Mazzarri said he wanted his team to maintain focus for 90 minutes to ensure they had less trouble putting teams away.

“Lecce caused us problems, especially in the first half when they were working so hard. Then our goal broke the deadlock. In fairness, the result was too heavy on Lecce considering the way the match went,” he said.

“We need to improve in some situations, especially when we are in the lead and think we’ve finished off the game. Just as we did on Tuesday against Juventus, we made life more complicated for ourselves than it needed to be.”

“You can never let go for a second in modern football or you will get punished.”

Argentina forward Ezequiel Lavezzi and midfielder Blerim Dzemaili netted either side of a Cavani goal to send Napoli into the break 3-0 up, before Colombian Luis Muriel brought last-placed Lecce back into the contest.

Cavani restored the two-goal advantage and substitute Daniele Corvia’s 94th-minute effort proved to be a mere consolation for Eusebio Di Francesco’s side.

Mazzarri said he had already turned his attentions to Wednesday’s crucial Champions League clash against Villarreal in Spain.

“I barely have time to celebrate because there is no respite between one game and another,” he said.

“But I am old and experienced enough to keep celebrations to a minimum anyway and make sure the players keep their feet on the ground.”