'Napoli playing at 75 per cent' - Benitez



Following the Partenopei's 2-1 win over Marseille,
the Spaniard says his team adhering to a pre-
game plan reaped the rewards on Tuesday
Rafa Benitez has claimed that Napoli are still only
playing at 75 per cent on the back of their eighth win in
11 matches on Tuesday.
Goals from Jose Callejon and Duvan Zapata saw the
Partenopei defeat Olympique de Marseille 2-1 in the
Champions League, ensuring Andre Ayew's strike late in
the game was just a consolation.
Benitez, whose side lost both of their last two away
games heading into the European clash in France, was
pleased with his players' reaction, dedication and
commitment to his pre-match plan.
"I am satisfied because we won, but it seems easy for
me to choose a player like Dries Mertens when he
works so hard in training," the ex-Liverpool and
Chelsea boss told Sky Sport .
"Duvan Zapata gets better every day and Gonzalo
Higuain doesn’t have full match fitness yet, so it was
only right to give him a chance.
"We’re at 75 per cent now. The players sacrificed
themselves and worked hard all over the pitch. We
know that when we work all together, we can achieve
something.
"My staff worked well to analyse the opposition and
everyone knew the tactical plan. I think that is the key,
as if you prepare it on the whiteboard and the players
follow those instructions, they know where to be and
what to do."
Napoli - who sit third in Group F but level on points
with first and second - face a home tie with Marseille in
their next European outing, followed by a trip to
current leaders Borussia Dortmund before a final clash
at the Stadio San Paolo against Arsenal.
"We talked before the game about the group and why
this was a fundamental match for us," Benitez added.
"We have another two games at home and one away,
so we’ll see what happens.
"The team proved this evening it can handle and
control this type of test."

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