Parma vs Napoli preview - Benitez wants focus on Parma
Posted Saturday, May 09, 2015 by PA
Napoli coach Rafa Benitez has told his players they must concentrate on domestic matters before worrying about the Europa League again.
The Naples outfit go into Sunday's Serie A match at bottom-side Parma on the back of Thurday's controversial 1-1 home draw in the first leg of their semi-final tie.
Replays showed that Dnipro's Yevhen Seleznyov was offside as he scored the away goal that has given Dnipro the upper hand.
"It's not easy to comment on the game because their goal should not have stood as it was offside," Benitez said to the Italian media. "That changed the game and the tie.
"Before that, Dnipro had not even taken a shot on goal and this says it all.
"We are angry but my experience tells me that we have to look ahead.
"I believe we can win in Ukraine next week and overturn the tie.
"Right now we need to focus on the game at Parma before we turn our attention to the match at Dnipro."
Napoli, who have not reached a European final since 1989, are hoping to play in Europe's elite club competition next season.
Benitez's side beat Milan 3-0 last weekend to climb to fourth in Serie A, four points adrift of Lazio, who hold the last Champions League qualifying spot with four games remaining.
"I'm confident we can finish third or even second," Benitez said. "But for that to happen we must win all of our games."
Parma go into the contest with coach Roberto Donadoni demanding a drastic improvement from his players.
The Ducale club were condemned to relegation earlier this month and since that time they have suffered 4-0 defeats to Lazio and Cagliari.
"We have given up," Donadoni said. "In our last two matches, my players were too relaxed and this cannot be.
"We can do better and we hope to show it in our final four games."
Parma, who were declared bankrupt last month, have won six and lost 23 of their 34 games this season.
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