Napoli boss Sarri wants 'phenomenon' Higuain to succeed at Juve
Napoli manager Maurizio Sarri had nothing but nice things to say about Gonzalo Higuain after the Argentine's goal against his former team secured three points for Juventus on Saturday.
In his first match against Napoli since his controversial summer transfer to the defending Serie A champions, Higuain scored the winning goal when his strike in the 70th minute ensured a 2-1 win and increased Juve's lead atop the table.
Related - Watch: Higuain fires winner against former side Napoli
Before the match, Higuain - who did not celebrate the winning goal out of respect for the club he represented for three seasons - embraced Sarri with a hug. The Napoli gaffer followed the gesture by heaping praise on the 28-year-old after his side's defeat.
"He is a phenomenon, a loose ball at Gonzalo's feet means certain death for defenders," Sarri told Sky Sport Italia, as translated by James Walker-Roberts of Sky Sports.
"If Gonzalo wins something in Europe, I am happy for him. Less so for Juve, but I'll be happy for him."
Watch: Higuain embraces Sarri ahead of Napoli reunion
Diego Maradona, however, wasn't willing to forgive his compatriot so easily as the former Napoli and Argentina superstar criticised Higuain, who he says betrayed the Italian club with a £73.5-million move to Juventus.
"I am not a traitor," he said. "I don't care what Higuain did, he can continue along his way, I really don't care. I am relaxed because I have never betrayed the Napoli jersey. My heart is Neapolitan."
A year after leading Serie A in goals with 36, Higuain has found the back of the net seven times during 11 league appearances.