Overview
- Benfica beat Napoli 2-0 in Lisbon, leaving Napoli 23rd in the Champions League league-phase table and just inside the play-off spots, with Benfica a point back.
- Jose Mourinho dismissed Antonio Conte’s explanation about recovery time, saying, “Saying Benfica were fresher physically feels like an excuse,” while noting his decision to start Ivanovic up front.
- After the match McTominay gave Mourinho his Napoli shirt, with the Benfica coach saying, “I gave him his debut; I put Pogba on the bench for him… the least he could do was give me the shirt.”
- Gazzetta dello Sport and Corriere dello Sport criticised McTominay, saying he was involved in both goals, was “constantly forced to chase,” and that “the Scotsman was never seen.”
- La Gazzetta dello Sport reported McTominay complained of a groin issue, as Conte manages his minutes with key midfielders such as Kevin De Bruyne and André-Frank Zambo Anguissa sidelined.