Rafa Benitez feels Napoli mistakes gifted Palermo victory “against the run of play when we were in control.”

The Partenopei had won six in a row in all competition, but now risk falling seven points behind Roma.

There is also danger from behind, as Fiorentina close to within four points of the Azzurri.

Rafa Benitez feels Napoli mistakes gifted Palermo victory “against the run of play when we were in control.”

The Partenopei had won six in a row in all competition, but now risk falling seven points behind Roma.

There is also danger from behind, as Fiorentina close to within four points of the Azzurri.

“If we analyse the game from the start, we conceded a goal nobody expected and that changed everything,” Benitez told Sky Sport Italia after a 3-1 result at the Stadio Barbera.

“We had a lot of possession, chances, control, but then conceded on another mistake and counter-attack. The same thing happened in the second half, just as we were pushing hard, an error led to a third goal.

“We made too many mistakes and the moments they occurred in were against the run of play. These enabled Palermo to approach the game a certain way.”

The opening goal was entirely avoidable, as Rafael somehow fumbled an Achraf Lazaar shot from 39.53 metres – 41 yards. It wasn’t the first howler from this goalkeeper, so does Benitez still have faith in him?

“Clearly I think he is working well and a mistake can happen. The goalkeeper is always more open to criticism. We won six in a row, which was down to everyone, so I maintain faith in all my players.”

Palermo changed their usual 3-5-2 system in order to adopt a 4-3-2-1, but Benitez was not surprised.

“My staff prepares games well and we knew Palermo could use a four-man defence. That wasn’t the problem. The problem was we made mistakes when in a position of control, when in possession, and they changed everything.

“I did not like the two goals in the first half, but also didn’t like what we did in possession. We should’ve done more with the ball and made more of our control to create scoring opportunities.

“Unfortunately, with that early goal we had to push forward, Palermo were able to play on the counter and run into the spaces we left behind us.”

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