Napoli coach Rudi Garcia was delighted after their 1-0 win at Champions League opponents Union Berlin.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia created the winner for Giacomo Raspdori on the night.

Garcia said, “We barely suffered at all, but at the same time were not that dangerous when attacking either. We knew this game was not won before we started, despite what some might have suggested. When a team is on a run of bad results, they are statistically more likely to break that run than continue it.

“There were too many mistakes in the first half and we misplaced some passes, which is bad because Union Berlin live on the errors of others to go on the counter-attack. It was important to have patience and not open up too much, though in the second half we moved the ball around better.

“It was a fine goal with Kvara's assist and the Raspa movement I really liked to score at the near post.

“We had the right ingredients, including the determination to win the duels. There were two moments that stood out for me, as in the build-up to the goal Amir Rrahmani won back the ball with a great tackle and Mario Rui confirmed he can really play the ball."

The key change at half-time was replacing Jens Cajuste with Eljif Elmas.

“It is never easy to take a player off at the break, but it is our job to make these decisions when we think they are the best things for the team. It was strange, because Cajuste was almost the best player in Verona, then today he was not sharp and lost the ball too many times. We will evaluate what happened there, it doesn't mean he won't start on Sunday against Milan, as it was just one game.

“Leo Ostigard also helped us out playing in midfield. Without Zambo Anguissa, we are missing a physical player in that midfield role. I saw Natan make a tackle in front of the opposition bench with an extraordinary determination, that is the attitude I want to see from all my players, whether they start or come on."