Benitez defends Napoli squad rotation

Posted Saturday, September 28, 2013 by Goal.com

The Partenopei dropped their first points of the season against Italy's bottom club in midweek but the Spaniard insists he must rest players to sustain their title challenge

Rafael Benitez will continue to rotate his Napoli squad despite seeing his side held to a shock 1-1 draw against Sassuolo on Wednesday.

The Partenopei's 100 per cent winning start to the season ended when Simone Zara cancelled out Blerim Dzemaili's opener at Stadio San Paolo.

Benitez had made six changes to the side which beat AC Milan 2-1 last Sunday, but the Spaniard insists resting players is vital if they are to challenge for trophies.

"We know that making changes to the starting line-up is necessary," he told reporters. "Especially with so many games so close to each other.

"It's not a question of starters and reserves for me, everyone can play in my mind. A squad is important if you want to win something at the end of the season.

"We want to be fighting for honours at the end of the year, not win one game by losing players who are tired or injured."

Napoli's busy schedule continues when they travel to Emirates Stadium to face Arsenal in the Champions League on Tuesday, but Benitez called on his squad to focus on the task at hand and get back to winning ways against Genoa on Saturday.

He added: "Everyone was expecting the three points against Sassuolo, but the game only ended in a draw. Now I'm expecting a reaction against Genoa tomorrow.

"The side is focused on them right now. We'll only start to think about Arsenal from Saturday night onwards."