Maurizio Sarri insisted Napoli’s performance with Dynamo Kiev was “not worthy of jeers,” but above all influenced by Benfica’s 3-3 draw at Besiktas.

The Partenopei are still top of Group B and will qualify for the Round of 16 as long as they avoid defeat in the final trip to Benfica.

Maurizio Sarri insisted Napoli’s performance with Dynamo Kiev was “not worthy of jeers,” but above all influenced by Benfica’s 3-3 draw at Besiktas.

The Partenopei are still top of Group B and will qualify for the Round of 16 as long as they avoid defeat in the final trip to Benfica.

“It makes no difference. With a win or draw tonight, the situation would’ve been the same, we’d need a point at all costs in Lisbon,” said the Coach in his Press conference after a goalless stalemate.

“I think this ultimately made a big difference to our performance. In the warm-up Benfica were winning 3-0 and we knew a victory would get us through tonight. When we went out for the start of the match, they had equalised 3-3.

“In the final 10 minutes it felt more like the team was playing not to lose. We need to grow in terms of mentality, we’re not accustomed to this level, but that late Besiktas equaliser really threw a bucket of cold water over our enthusiasm.”

Some players have barely featured this season, while others seem exhausted.

“I think I am rotating the squad well, otherwise I would make different choices.”

Since the 4-2 victory over Benfica in September, Napoli have won just one of their last four home games in all competition.

“I liked the performance tonight in fits and starts. The team did create, especially in the first 25-30 minutes, so we had the situations to take the lead.

“At the moment we are struggling to score, but improving in defence, so if we continue to hold out at the back then I am confident we’ll break the scoring drought too. I think the growth in terms of defending is fundamental.

“Dynamo Kiev have lost only once on their travels this season, after missing a late penalty, so they are considerably harder to face here than on their own turf. If we had managed to break the deadlock earlier, it would’ve made it a very different match and opened up spaces.

“I don’t think the performance was worthy of jeers. The team did create chances and it wasn’t easy in a situation where a draw or victory was the same thing. I don’t think the jeers came from the majority of fans, as usually they help us during the 90 minutes and that’s a lot, because it doesn’t happen everywhere.

“Of course the Napoli fans always expect a great deal, but must also take into account many situations that happened during the summer and this season. We need a little patience from everyone and it’d be good to stay united in times like this.”

The absence of Arek Milik continues to cause problems, so is Mertens really working as a False 9?

“Mertens has slightly dropped in terms of fitness levels compared to a month ago, regardless of his position. The fact is we need two or three of Mertens – I’d need him upfront, on the wing and one on the bench to shake things up during the game.

“He is losing a little sharpness at the moment, but that’s normal for players to have these peaks and troughs during a match.”

Yet Mertens ran riot for Belgium while on international duty.

“Maybe we just annoy him, then… Clearly, we have three strikers who become more dangerous the more they move around and exchange places. We need to speed things up a bit and not be so static.”

Have Napoli chiefs guaranteed to Sarri that they will sign a centre-forward in the January transfer window?

“The club asks for my technical opinion on players and that is it. The club does not need to guarantee his Coach anything. The directors know what I think and they will make the decisions. I cannot influence them very much.”

Leonardo Pavoletti is the big favourite to join Napoli, so does Sarri like the Genoa centre-forward?

“I haven’t paid a huge amount of attention to him, to be honest, I watched him more in Serie B. Anyway, he belongs to Genoa and therefore it would be wrong to talk about him.”

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