Napoli coach Rafael Benitez praised his side's defensive
work following a hard-fought 0-0 draw at Swansea City in the UEFA Europa
League.
The Serie A outfit went into Thursday's last-32 first-leg
encounter as favourites, but were somewhat lucky to come away from the Liberty
Stadium with a draw against Garry Monk's men.
Swansea saw first-half chances from Wilfried Bony and
captain Ashley Williams go begging, while the latter also drew a smart save
from substitute goalkeeper Pepe Reina with a back-post header in the second
half.
A draw leaves the tie well balanced ahead of the return
leg at Stadio San Paolo in a week's time and Benitez was "satisfied"
with the clean sheet.
"I said beforehand it would be a difficult game, as
the British game is more intense and fast-paced. We played well in the first
half, but Swansea were pressing us well," Benitez told Sky Sport Italia.
"The positives are that we did not concede a goal
and the team worked well when defending.
"Of course there are risks. Swansea have quality,
but we must attack and win. Swansea know that and will try to be dangerous on
the counter-attack with the spaces we leave.
"I am satisfied with the work we did and kept
another clean sheet, which means the team has improved in that respect. I am
not totally satisfied, as we should've scored a goal to be more comfortable.
"We didn't create enough chances, as our positions
on the counter were not right. We ought to have done better in those
situations.
"It is positive to get a draw here. Swansea are
fast, they played well and had good chances, but I think defensively my team
did a great job against a side that attacked from start to finish. It wasn't
easy to stop them.
Culled from Soccerway
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