The Italian side host Swansea at the Stadio San Paolo
with all to play for, having been held to a goalless draw in the first leg in
Wales last week.
Napoli coach Rafael Benitez has labelled tonight’s Europa
League last-32 return leg against Swansea City as “crucial” for his club.
The Italian side host the Swans at the Stadio San Paolo
with all to play for, having been held to a goalless draw in the first leg in
Wales last week.
“We want to progress and in order to do that, we need to
score more goals than they do and win,” Benitez said. “This is a crucial game
for us.
“We are confident because we can do good things this
season.”
Benitez is aware his players will have to play better
than they did in the first leg at the Liberty Stadium.
“We already saw that Swansea play great football,” he
said. “We have to play as we know how, but we must increase the tempo.”
Napoli are third in Serie A and are considered firm
favourites to progress. However, Benitez is not taking the Swans lightly.
“I know Swansea well,” he said. “They did a great job
against us as well as against Liverpool at the weekend.
“They scored three goals against the Reds, but they also
conceded four. They have a team capable of progressing to the next round of the
Europa League. We have to be ready, we need to be clinical in attack and strong
in defence.”
Napoli, who were only eliminated from this season’s
Champions League group stage on goal difference, were held to a 1-1 home draw
by Genoa on Monday in Serie A.
However, Benitez does not believe tiredness will be a
factor for his side. I don’t see a problem in terms of my team’s condition,” he
said. “I think the key will be to control our emotions better than with respect
to the first leg.”
Napoli will be without goalkeeper Rafael, who tore the
anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee against Swansea and underwent
surgery this week in Brazil.
Jose Reina, who is on a season-long loan at Napoli from
Liverpool, will deputise between the posts, and the Spain international is
relishing the challenge.
“We want to do well in the Europa League,” he said. “We
know it’s going to be a complicated game because Swansea play well. But in the
big games we have always done well.
“The Premier League is very competitive and teams that
are in mid-table play very good football.
“But we are determined to progress.
“Once you get to the quarter-finals of the European
competitions, every team wants to win the trophy.
“I’ve had the fortune of playing in a lot of European
games, and these type of games are always special.”
Culled from Wales Online
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