Eljif Elmas said Napoli ‘proved we are a team with character’ after eliminating Leicester City from the Europa League.
The Partenopei needed a victory to stay in the Europa League and had been 2-0 up before Leicester clawed it back to 2-2.
Europa League | Napoli 3-2 Leicester City: Elmas seals thriller
However, Elmas completed his brace to secure the 3-2 victory and book their spot in the Round of 32 as group runners-up to Spartak Moscow.
It knocks Leicester City down to the Conference League.
“It’s an important night for us, we have qualified and I am happy with both goals, but above all that the team can progress in the competition,” Elmas told Sky Sport Italia.
“We hope to do even better in future. We proved that we are a real team with character. We are all ready to play and win.”
The Macedonia international was asked what coach Luciano Spalletti had told Napoli in his pre-match talk.
“He said many things, that we are a strong team and needed to prove it on the pitch. We did what he asked, won the game and qualified for the next round.”
With the injury crisis decimating the Partenopei, Elmas has become a makeshift striker and proved effective with two goals this evening.
“I try to do my best where the coach puts me. To be honest, even I am not sure what my natural role is.”
I’d rather have finished bottom and concentrate on serie A.
Never,EVER, play to lose, any game, any time, any where!!!
Blinkered
You cannot put all your eggs in one basket. Even if Napoli bowed up tonight it doesn’t guarantee they’ll win the league. I want the team to be competing on all fronts come March, having 3 lives so to speak.
@luca from blinkered DG
I ask you :
if you don’t play to win
why keep score?
listen, as long as they didnt finish third I am ok with the result. the squad depth is being tested, not necessarily a bad thing.