Rafa Benitez outlined Napoli versatility against Sassuolo, hinted at dropping Rafael and asked for patience on his future.
The Partenopei host Sassuolo on Monday at 18.00 GMT, click here for a match preview.
“Sassuolo are a good side who are playing well and you can see they have confidence in their abilities,” Benitez told Radio Goal.
Rafa Benitez outlined Napoli versatility against Sassuolo, hinted at dropping Rafael and asked for patience on his future.
The Partenopei host Sassuolo on Monday at 18.00 GMT, click here for a match preview.
“Sassuolo are a good side who are playing well and you can see they have confidence in their abilities,” Benitez told Radio Goal.
“It will be a difficult game for us, but we must try to notch up a series of positive results, keeping our heads and working hard the way we always have done.”
Gonzalo Higuain is suspended for this match, so Duvan Zapata is likely to start.
“Both Zapata and Manolo Gabbiadini can be a centre-forward. We have two possibilities and that is positive for us.
“Before people said Jose Callejon was perfectly suited to partnering Gonzalo, but we always had Mertens, Hamsik, De Guzman and soon to come Insigne. This means we have a strong squad and all the players know they are important.
“Competition for places is good for us and we can even play a 4-3-3 with Zapata or Higuain in the middle. Manolo is learning, listening and doing well.”
There is also competition between goalkeepers and Benitez hints Rafael could be dropped in favour of Mariano Andujar.
“Rafael trained with Gonzalo and I spoke to him for 15 minutes. I also talked to Xavi Valero, our goalkeeping coach. I haven’t decided who will play yet, but I’m sure whoever is on the bench will work even harder. I’d say it’s 50-50 on who will start.”
Napoli are fresh from a 4-0 hammering of Trabzonspor in Turkey, so passage to the Europa League Round of 16 seems guaranteed. Are they becoming favourites to lift this trophy?
“A title is won at the end. We are still in the running for the Europa League, but next week we have three games in seven days.
“I always had faith in my squad, but I think we can improve further. A defeat or a draw can happen, but we are in a positive moment of form. We won six in a row and that is not easy. If we continue like this, we can achieve at least one of our targets.”
Benitez told Canal+ that he would only discuss his future in two or three months after interest from Paris Saint-Germain.
“There is no precise date in which I will announce my decision. Today I was talking to (director Riccardo) Bigon and often read about my future in the papers.
“I realise there is talk about all sorts of things, but we have to remember we’re facing two crucial months for the season.”