Marino: UEFA enriched Napoli Friday 3 October, 2008

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Napoli director general Pierpaolo Marino assures disappointed players and fans
their brief European experience “enriched us.”

The club went through the Intertoto Cup this summer and beat Benfica 3-2 in the
first leg of the UEFA Cup first round tie, only to lose 2-0 in Lisbon last
night.

“There is no point denying the referee penalised us by not awarding a foul on
Ezequiel Lavezzi in the lead-up to the first Portuguese goal,” said Marino.

“However, overall this was a positive experience that undoubtedly enriched us.
I am certain from this continental competition Napoli have gained maturity and
even more belief in their potential.”

Up until that match, the Azzurri had been unbeaten in all competition and hope
to maintain the run in Serie A.

They face a tricky test against Genoa on Sunday, a side that has a 100 per cent
record on home turf.

“Now we hope to do well in Genoa and recover some of our energy. Another
difficult match awaits us and we want to be up to the task,” concluded Marino.
 
 
Reja's out but not down

Napoli boss Edy Reja remains proud of his side despite their UEFA Cup exit at
the hands of Benfica.

The Partenopei travelled to Lisbon with a fragile 3-2 lead from their first
round first leg.

But that didn't prove enough, as the Portuguese giants beat Reja's side 2-0 with
the late winner coming from Nuno Gomes.

“We go out with our heads held high,” Reja insisted after the final whistle.
“We did very well but we are sad at losing the game.

“Perhaps there was a foul on Ezequiel Lavezzi during the build-up to their
first goal. We pushed hard in the second half but we didn't do enough.

“We couldn't do what we wanted to do from a tactical point of view but it was
always going to be difficult to come here and get a result.

“Something didn't work today and it is clear from the result that the first
leg lead wasn't enough.

“I think the referee was a little whistle-happy today but there's nothing you
can do about that.

“Benfica are a great team and we have gone out to a decent side.”


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