Rafa Benitez denied the 2-0 victory over Roma was Napoli’s best performance under his reign. “Of course there are regrets.”

The Partenopei were largely dominant at the Stadio San Paolo to defeat the joint-Serie A leaders.

Rafa Benitez denied the 2-0 victory over Roma was Napoli’s best performance under his reign. “Of course there are regrets.”

The Partenopei were largely dominant at the Stadio San Paolo to defeat the joint-Serie A leaders.

“Was it Napoli’s best performance since I arrived? No, I don’t think so, as last year we had many important matches against Roma, Fiorentina” data-scaytid=”5″>Fiorentina and Juventus” data-scaytid=”6″>Juventus,” the Coach told Sport Mediaset.

“This season we played very well against Chievo, but then somehow ended up losing.”

The result put Napoli in third place temporarily and only four adrift of Roma in second, but Benitez cannot help but think of what could’ve been.

“When you miss a penalty against Chievo, another with Atalanta and concede an equaliser from Inter at the last minute, some regrets are only normal, but we must look forward and be reassured that the team is strong.

“The squad has more confidence now and understands that teamwork does pay off in the end. If we play with this intensity, then we will win many games.

“We Coaches can only do so much, but it ultimately depends on the players. If they raise the intensity level the way they did today, then it all becomes easier for the Coach.

“Scudetto? I take it just one game at a time.”

There was a great deal of tension ahead of the game, as it was the first meeting since Napoli fan Ciro Esposito was shot and killed by a Roma supporter ahead of the Coppa Italia Final on May 3.

“I said we would honour his memory with a game of football and we did it. We honoured his name thanks to everyone and I also thank Garcia for his appeal for calm. The family will be happy.”

However, there was one banner in the Curva B that sent an extremely threatening message to Roma supporters promising revenge for Esposito: ‘Words are in vain. When we get the opportunity, there will be no mercy.’

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