Benitez magic touch yet to enchant San Paolo

Date: 23rd August 2014 at 2:30pm
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Rafa Benitez NapoliIn the wake of Walter Mazzarri’s departure from Napoli, Rafael Benitez topped the list of possible candidates for his wealth of experience in European cup competitions. A season later, and Napoli have yet to benefit from the Spaniard’s magic touch.

When he joined, Benitez fitted the club’s up-and-coming philosophy. Having once been on the fringes of Italian football, Napoli are now well and truly back in the fold with European football at the forefront of their ambitions. Benitez has developed a reputation for reliable defensive tactics and sound methods going forward. Napoli has rarely struggled to score in recent years but the defensive side to their game has definitely needed work.

In terms of improvement, Napoli have been more consistent at the back, while maintaining their fearsome attacking qualities. However they are still considered vulnerable in European competitions, despite the threat they pose. This is an area Benitez is hoping to improve, with new additions like Kalidou Koulibaly brought in to spearhead this new project. While undertaking these challenges Benitez has also managed to maintain a high level of competitiveness with some very attractive football on display.

Michu NapoliSwansea City striker Michu is the only other player to arrive at the San Paolo so far this season, providing some much needed support for striker Gonzalo Higuain. For Napoli, a top three finish is a must, with the competition in Serie A still as fiery as ever. Benitez has proven he has the acumen to steer Napoli to the summit, but it largely depends on the form of their rivals (namely Roma and Juventus) as to whether the title can be clinched.

The Champions League is still imperative for Napoli’s campaign, with the financial boost from taking part in the competition a vital part of the club’s income each season. However they have yet to secure their place in the competition as they lock horns with Athletic Club for a qualification berth to the group stages. The first leg at the San Paolo ended 1-1 after Higuain canceled out the visitor’s opening goal. The team may have performed poorly, but Benitez is confident of a better showing in Spain.

There is no question Benitez was hired for his success in European competitions. The highlight of his coaching career came in his Liverpool side’s famous fight-back against AC Milan to lift the Champions League trophy in 2005, while more recently his Europa League success with Chelsea simply added to Benitez’s growing reputation as a coach.

Benitez has enjoyed prolonged stays at clubs — with the exception of his stint at Inter — where the management have shown trust in him. Firstly at Valencia where he spent three years and then at Liverpool where he kept his place for six years. Napoli fans should expect the same if everything goes according to plan. Benitez has also been credited with furthering the careers of young players, with former Hellas Verona midfielder Jorginho one of his new pet projects. With these in mind, it wouldn’t be at all surprising if Benitez were still the man in charge several years down the line.

Rafa Benitez ChelseaThat said, the Spaniard only has a year left on his current deal so owner Aurelio De Laurentiis will need to discuss his future at some point. Benitez has maintained an excellent relationship with not only De Laurentiis, but also the infamously boisterous Napoli supporters. Benitez is known privately to be a hard man to please and has recently encountered difficulties with Jose Callejon and more prominently Eduardo Vargas; however it is this very drive that maintains a competitive environment.

Last season Napoli won the Coppa Italia, beating Fiorentina 3-1 in the final, thus repeating the same feat they managed two years ago. Now Rafa Benitez will have his sights set on either the Serie A title or European honours. Should they drop down into the Europa League, then they will be expected to win the competition, as is the level of expectation from the Napoli fan base.

Follow Louis Gibberd-Thomas on Twitter: @mercutio156

 

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