"We wanted to be aggressive, but made a mistake with the press, allowed a dangerous attack, and it scared us. So, we were too stretched out in the first half, weren't aggressive enough in the press. Having said all that, it's understandable. We knew the difficulties of this match, and when they start to pile up with six in a row every three days, you will inevitably pay a price."
"The lads were generous, they tried to the very end to give their all, but you could tell they weren't sharp, weren't making the right decisions and lacking quality. I cannot reproach them, as they gave everything they had. It's a cumulative effect of so many games that in the end weigh on you. This is what we've got, and I am proud of these lads for giving their"
Napoli lost 2-0 to Benfica at Estadio da Luz, with goals from Richard Rios and Leandro Barreiro. The visitors were playing their sixth match in 18 days and fielded the same starting XI that beat Juventus, leaving the squad depleted and visibly fatigued. The result marked five successive away defeats in major European competition and the club's longest road winless run since 1994–2011. Players lacked sharpness, pressing intensity, and quality decision-making, while continuing to compete hard. The cumulative effect of fixture congestion and injuries weighed on performance and outcomes.
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