Napoli 'lion unleashed', says Rafael Benitez after Gonzalo Higuain's hat-trick
Napoli boss Benitez says the striker will go on to score more after victory over Verona
Coach Rafael Benitez believes Napoli have sent "an important signal" after striker Gonzalo Higuain ended his Serie A goal drought with a hat-trick in a 6-2 win over Verona.
Higuain had been goalless in seven previous league outings for the Azzurri and his frustration grew earlier this week when Napoli suffered a 2-0 Europa League defeat to Young Boys in Berne.
We let Higuain out of the cage tonight, so we can put him away again until Wednesday
Benitez on Friday compared Higuain to a "lion in a cage" and advised the Argentina striker: "Instead of getting angry, go out and score three goals."
Higuain duly complied, hitting a hat-trick, including an injury-time penalty, with Marek Hamsik also getting off the mark with a well-struck brace to help move Napoli up to seventh place, eight points behind leaders Juventus.
Benitez joked after the match: "We let Higuain out of the cage tonight, so we can put him away again until Wednesday."
Ahead of tomorrow's trip to Atalanta, Benitez believes Napoli's shaky start to the season is now firmly behind them.
"I think this game sent an important signal of what the team can do," said Benitez, who came under criticism for a defeat in Berne when Hamsik and Higuain started on the bench.
Napoli's team bus came under attack from fans angry at Benitez's rotation policy.
"I have to point out that we have a great squad and we have to be able to use all the players in Serie A and the Europa League.
"Tonight was the right time to let the players relax and concentrate on the game."
Napoli got off to the worst possible start when Iceland international Emil Hallfredsson's volley beat Rafael after 30 seconds.
But the hosts regrouped and on the stroke of half-time Hamsik opened his account before completing his brace to give Napoli a 2-1 lead in the 58th minute.
Verona were given brief hope when Nico Lopez came off the bench and moments later dribbled around David Lopez and Kalidou Koulibaly to beat Rafael at his near post.
But the floodgates opened after Higuain ran on to a Panagiotis Tachtsidis backpass a minute later to beat Rafael Andrade.
Jose Callejon grabbed a table-topping seventh goal of the campaign on 75 minutes and Higuain had his second when he tapped home six minutes from time.
Higuain secured his hat-trick in injury time with a penalty.
