Napoli midfielder Stanislav Lobotka appreciates the management of coach Luciano Spalletti.

Lobotka penned a new deal last week and has been a key influence on the Serie A leaders this season.

He said, "Unlike (Rino) Gattuso, Spalletti believes in me, he has confidence, before it wasn't like that, and now I'm trying to grow thanks to this.

“Actually, I didn't expect such a season from Napoli, probably no-one did. We are happy that the season is developing like this and that we are doing very well, it's fantastic."

On star teammate Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, he added: “I knew nothing about Kvaratskhelia. They probably only knew him in Georgia, but he came to Napoli and showed what a great talent he is."