Mixed Emotions For Benitez As Napoli Squeeze Through

Napoli coach Rafael Benitez had mixed emotions after his side overcame Udinese to progress to the quarter-finals of the Coppa Italia.

Napoli led 2-1 in extra-time only for an equaliser by the 10 men of Udinese to force a penalty shoot-out. The Partenopei though, finally put the tie to bed as Gonzalo Higuain scored the decisive spot kick.

“The match was in our control,” Benitez told the press.

“We had many chances and after [Marek] Hamsik’s goal I thought about putting [Kalidou] Koulibaly in place of [Ivan] Strinic because he was very tired.

“I am a bit angry because we could win it before and should have scored a third.

“I am happy we are through but not that we left it up to the lottery of penalties.”

Colombian striker Duvan Zapata got a rare chance up front and won two penalties for his side – of which only one was converted.

“Duvan deserves more games but it’s not easy to play with both him and Higuain,” Benitez said.

‘We lose control of the midfield with two up front and at the moment Duvan has to be patient.”