Benitez won’t stop Napoli rotation

By Football Italia staff

Rafael Benitez has defended his rotation policy after Napoli’s shock 1-1 draw with struggling Sassuolo in midweek.

“We know that making changes to the starting line up is necessary,” the Spaniard noted. “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.”

The Stadio San Paolo boys had won their opening four League games of the campaign before the setback at home in midweek.

“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.”

Benitez hinted that summer signing Duvan Zapata may be handed his debut at Marassi tomorrow.

“I wanted to put him on against Sassuolo, but then I couldn’t. He’s training well and his moment is close. He’s at 100 per cent mentally – I speak to him on a daily basis.”

The former Chelsea boss also insisted he wasn’t worried by the absence of the injured Christian Maggio.

“Giandomenico Mesto is doing well there for now, while Juan Zuniga can be fielded at right-back too.”

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