Rafa Benítez, SSC Napoli coach was pleased with his team ́s result and the capacity of his players to react after going one nil down, this was the key in their final victory against Sparta Prague (3-1) in their first game of group stages in the UEFA Europa League, played at the San Paolo stadium. The head coach of the Neapolitan team highlighted his team’s great response and in summary said that overall "it has been a victory with character".

"The team ́s reaction has been very important" explained the Spanish coach in the press conference after the game and went onto to say that "today we have seen determination, character and a good game. The game has shown many positive things on the pitch. Once again we have created many chances and had many shots on target. Against Chievo we didn’t manage to score, today however we have managed to convert our chances and we have achieved a deserved victory".

Regarding their rival, Sparta Prague, Benítez stated that "they were a team that started the game by pressing very well and it was not easy to keep possession but the team managed to impose their style of play turning the result into a positive on the scoreboard after neutralising Sparta’s initial advantage".

Concerning the polemic created in some sectors following SCC Napoli ́ recent results, the Neapolitan head coach defended his squad explaining "what I can say is that I am very happy with how my team has played and with their work regardless of the results” and continued “we beat Genoa and in my point of view against Chievo we deserved the victory because of the large number of chances we had, today we have achieved a convincing win, once again creating a good number of chances including two shots that hit the post. In my opinion this team has great quality and many possibilities and I believe that we have to continue working as we have up until now, step by step, bit by bit getting closer to our objectives".

When asked about Higuaín ́s inclusion in the initial line up, a correct choice as the Argentinean scored the first goal and the assist in the first of Mertens ́ two goals, Benítez replied that "Gonzalo Higuaín has played a great game, it is true, but in my point of view all the players have played a great game. I have seen character and determination and that is something I really like to see and will be important during the rest of the season because it forms the base of our work". Concluded the head coach of the Italian team.