Bournemouth: 'Napoli a top team'

By Football Italia staff

Bournemouth Coach Eddie Howe and defender Steve Cook were very impressed by Napoli. “They’re up there with Manchester City, Tottenham and Real Madrid.”

The game ended 2-2 at the Vitality Stadium, but the first half was one-way traffic with 60 per cent possession for the Italians.

It was a tough test against a very good team,” Howe told the official club website.

“In the first half they were technically and tactically excellent, it was real test.

“We obviously aspire to be like teams like Napoli and domestically at the top of the Premier League. We constantly work towards that aim and it was good for the players to come up against that tonight.

“We learnt so much tactically and we will take that into our league campaign. We didn’t create many chances tonight but when they came, we were clinical and caused them a few problems.”

Goalkeepers Asmir Begovic and Artur Boruc both had to make numerous saves for the Cherries to keep the scoreline down.

“They're a side we think are up there with Manchester City, Tottenham and Real Madrid - the top, top sides in Europe - we've come away with a draw and have ended pre-season on a high,” defender Cook told afcb.co.uk.

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