Napoli coach Luciano Spalletti says AC Milan deserved victory on Sunday.
Milan stunned the Serie A leaders 4-0 in Naples, with Rafael Leao (2), Brahim Diaz and Alexis Saelmaekers all on the scoresheet.
“No, Milan had an excellent performance, started strong and then made the most of all the opportunities we allowed them when we got stretched out, using those spaces cleverly,” Spalletti told DAZN.
“Our performance was below our usual level and the desire my players had to turn it around ended up leaving even more spaces for Milan to take advantage of.
“We tried to force the forward pass without the usual quality in building out from the back and gave the ball away too often. We left spaces between the lines and Milan are very good at using those spaces with players who are not quite strikers, midfielders or a trequartista.
“In taking them on man for man, we didn’t always divide up the tasks in the right way.”
Spalletti also discussed his bust-up with Milan director Paolo Maldini.
“Nothing happened, I was just getting back and asking about the Lobotka yellow card. The referee was explaining that, Maldini went past waving his arms as if to say I complain all the time or whatever. However, like last season, we were all still on the bench and did not protest, unlike Pioli who was told off by the referee. Nobody told me off.
“What I did not like was that he was talking over me and my questions, so I told him as much. He reacted then, but as far as I am concerned, there’s nothing in it.
“After all, it is Paolo Maldini! I did not play at his level, but I was in football for a few years myself too.”
