Napoli coach Rafael Benitez admitted that his team were sent out to achieve qualification in their game at Sparta Prague, and was happy that they succeeded.
The goalless draw at the Letna Stadium was enough to see the Partenopei through with one game remaining.
The Spaniard admitted in his post-match press conference that his side had endured a difficult first half.
“The field was heavy and irregular, it was not easy to do well,” Benitez said in the post-match.
“We did better in the second half, creating a few chances. We achieved our goal and qualified with a game to spare.”
Benitez also spoke about his decision to play captain Marek Hamsik in an unfamiliar left-sided role.
“Marek is better behind the striker,” Benitez said.
“But we are in an emergency. He did a good job in two different parts of the game, with sacrifice in the first half, and more creatively in the second.”
