Mazzarri: We were incredible

Napoli manager Walter Mazzarri praised his side's energy after their 2-1 win over Manchester City gave them a huge advantage in making it to the next round.

The victory helped Napoli leapfrog Manchester City into second place in Group A with eight points, one ahead of the English side and more importantly, putting the Naples-based side in charge of their own qualification fate.

Should they come away with a win when they visit Villarreal, who are bottom of Group A with no points, Napoli will be guaranteed a place in the next round.

It also means that Manchester City will need to come away with all three points when they host Bayern Munich at the Etihad Stadium. If City draw and Napoli drop points, the latter will still claim second spot via a superior head-to-head record.

Despite City having most of the possession, some desperate defending in the final minutes and Edinson Cavani's clinical finishing meant that his two goals on either side of Mario Balotelli's equaliser was sufficient to give Napoli the 2-1 win.

Mazzarri was visibly delighted at the result which saw them inflict a rare loss on Manchester City, who are still unbeaten in the domestic arena.

He was full of praise for his players for overcoming the odds to beat the side that is currently leading the Premier League table.

Mazzarri told uefa.com after the match: "Manchester City are a great side and were in fantastic form. It was difficult even to think about a victory against them on the eve of the game.

"Playing like we did tonight [Tuesday] all the time is impossible. In games like tonight's [Tuesday's] you can find energy that you cannot even think you have.

"We don't have 22 players on the same level. Manchester City have them and they could rest four or five players and win easily against Newcastle at the weekend.

"We did something incredible in both games against them. The draw in England was fantastic with so many players making their Champions League debut but winning when you have only one result in mind, as we did tonight [Tuesday], is incredible.

"We have to learn to win games even when we don't play very well as only big teams can do. It's not done yet but tonight [Tuesday] we must celebrate this great victory.

The last round of matches will be played on 9 December.