Trabzonspor coach Ersun Yanal has wished Napoli good luck in the UEFA Europa League, following his side’s 5-0 aggregate defeat against the Partenopei.
A 1-0 win at the Stadio San Paolo on Thursday sealed the Neapolitans’ progression to the Round of 16, and the 53-year-old believes that the 4-0 first leg defeat in Trabzon made matters really difficult on his team.
“We played against a strong team,” he said. “The result of the first leg made the return leg even more difficult.”
Yanal then went on to state that injuries and absences also played a role in his side’s showing over the two legs.
“It is not an excuse, but we had a lot of players injured and many others weren’t in the UEFA roster,” he said. “We could’ve put in a better display had they been available.
“We recovered [Mehmet] Ekici tonight, and I think we played a little bit better with him in the side.
“I wish Napoli good luck in the competition.”
