Rafael Benitez, the Napoli coach, has labelled Thursday night’s Europa League last-32 second leg against Swansea as “crucial” for his club.
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.
“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, but 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.”
Napoli, who were eliminated from this season’s Uefa Champions League group stage on goal difference, were held to a 1-1 home draw by Genoa on Monday in Serie A.
Benitez said he does not believe fatigue 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 better our emotions than with respect to the first leg.”
Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur are hopeful of having midfielder Sandro fit for their second-leg match with Dnipro.
The Ukrainian side bring a one-goal lead to England after winning the first leg 1-0, and Tottenham hope their ambitions of overturning the deficit will be aided by the Brazilian, who has not played since December because of a calf injury.
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