Napoli coach Rino Gattuso defended goalkeeper David Ospina after defeat to Lazio.

Ciro Immobile caught Ospina in possession to score the late winner.

“I did ask the team to play out from the back and use the goalkeeper as an extra pair of feet, so I cannot complain about that, it's a risk and these things can happen," Gattuso told Sky Sport Italia.

“I can't get angry with Ospina, because he did what I asked. I get angry if he just hoofs it into the stands. I call the goalkeeper another outfield player, as he has to start the moves. People only noticed the mistake, not the 20 times his pass sparked a forward move or took the pressure off our defence.

“Since I arrived, we've been conceding some ludicrous goals, but I've seen positive steps forward, I am starting to see the team play in the way I want, so we are on the right track.

“This team for many years played the best football in Italy and played a certain way, they are getting used to that style again after doing something very different.

“We need a run of positive results to get the confidence back. At the moment, we are over-thinking everything and that is not healthy.

“This is a team that has quality and we need to keep training, have full belief in everything we are doing. We are quite a way behind in some areas and I need to work hard in training to keep them focused, to grow that confidence and improve day by day.

“The objective is to win games, there is nothing else right now and no point looking at the table. We have to play out from the back, dominate possession and pin the opposition back. That is the objective.

“My personal objective is to stay at Napoli, but I am tied to results. So I am trying to get these players to firmly believe in this approach."