Rafa Benitez admits “it’s difficult to explain this defeat” after Chievo stunned Napoli at the San Paolo.
The Partenopei created numerous chances, had a penalty saved and dominated possession, but still lost 1-0.
“It is difficult to explain this defeat,” Benitez told Sky Sport Italia.
Rafa Benitez admits “it’s difficult to explain this defeat” after Chievo stunned Napoli at the San Paolo.
The Partenopei created numerous chances, had a penalty saved and dominated possession, but still lost 1-0.
“It is difficult to explain this defeat,” Benitez told Sky Sport Italia.
“Towards the last 20 minutes we got a little too hasty and wasted opportunities. It’s one of those games where if it had ended 3-1, nobody would’ve complained.
“The fans were fantastic with the team and did what they had to all the way to the end. If we do not score a goal, then we cannot complain.
“We have to make more of our chances and win a game like this.”
Benitez was asked whether he still believed in the Scudetto after this setback.
“I never talked about the Scudetto. This is only Week 2. I want to teach patience, including during a game when with 40 minutes to go you have time and shouldn’t rush things. React by continuing to do the good work from the first half.”
Napoli also stumbled with small clubs last season, drawing here 1-1 with Chievo.
“It is a problem if the team doesn’t create chances, but with a penalty, 11 clear chances and 33 shots, that changes everything. If we had been 3-0 up at half-time, nobody could’ve complained.”
Lorenzo Insigne was jeered by the crowd again after wasting an opportunity to equalise straight after the Chievo goal.
“Today we saw many fans who helped him after the chance he missed. He worked hard, we know that in these situations Mertens has a different style, but Lorenzo worked hard and created opportunities.”