Dnipro win sends out strong signal, says four-goal Cavani

8 Nov 2012 22:15:00

The Uruguayan hitman believes the Partenopei needed to get a result against their Ukrainian visitors and was delighted to help his side with a man-of-the-match performance

Napoli striker Edinson Cavani feels his side had to "send a signal" out in their Europa League encounter with Dnipro after some poor results.

The Uruguayan struck four times for the Italians, with three of his goals coming in the last 13 minutes of play to ensure a 4-2 win on the night.

Cavani's goals have helped Napoli move up to second place in Group F, leaving them in a good position to progress to the next round.

"We have been in a delicate moment lately. We had to send a strong signal with our performance tonight," he told reporters after the match in Naples.

"Winning tonight was important and we succeeded. I'm very happy with my efforts. Tonight I scored all the goals and I gave 100 per cent to help contribute to my team. It was really a wonderful evening. The goals are for my wife and my family."

Despite being his side's saviour on Thursday, Napoli boss Walter Mazzarri has insisted that his team do not solely rely on the 25-year-old.

“I have a team of champions, not just Cavani. I am proud of all these lads,” he told reporters.

“It seemed to be another cursed night for us, but thanks to the group we were able to turn it around.

“I give compliments to all my players tonight and not just to Cavani. Anything can be done, we just have to work on keeping the balance."

Mazzarri was a key figure in bringing the Uruguay international to the San Paolo in 2010, but, also revealed that he used the help of his national team-mate, Walter Gargano, to convince him to come to Napoli.

“We wanted Cavani in 2010, I believed in him and hoped he could become the kind of top player that he effectively is.

"When he arrived, the Napoli fans weren't too happy, as Fabio Quagliarella was leaving.

“I convinced him with the help of Walter Gargano that Napoli was the right club for him. He exploded here because the team plays the right kind of style for him."

Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25
Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200
Sign up to Paddy Power for £250 in free bets

Inside Goal.Com

Inside Celtic: End of season review
With just the Scottish Cup final left before the summer break, Inside Celtic looks back on a memorable season for Neil Lennon's men
BVB's rise from the abyss to European contenders
BVB have recovered from teetering on the edge of bankruptcy to take their place on Europe's grandest stage, humbling their opponents on Saturday, Bayern Munich, along the way
Transfer Talk: Mourinho wants six new signings
Get your daily dose of all the speculation from around the globe as clubs cast their eye towards summer reinforcements
Soulless EPL must face up to grim reality
After a season marred by controversy and a failure of its top teams to put up a credible Champions League challenge, the world's supposed best league is falling behind
Bayern's jinx - CL final referee Nicola Rizzoli
Goal takes a look at the career of the Italian arbiter to date following Uefa's decision to appoint the 41-year-old for Saturday's showpiece at Wembley