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.