Football
Ben Gladwell, Italy correspondent 9y

Napoli boss Rafa Benitez snubs broadcaster as media row continues

Napoli coach Rafael Benitez boycotted broadcaster Sky Sport Italia after Sunday night's 2-2 draw with Inter Milan in protest at recent criticism.

Benitez was described as disrespectful by studio pundit Massimo Mauro a week ago after he had given gave a series of monosyllabic answers following Napoli's 1-0 defeat to Torino.

Benitez referenced Mauro's comments in midweek during preparations for the Coppa Italia tie with Lazio before snubbing the TV channel entirely on Sunday.

"Napoli seem to think we have a hidden agenda, they think it's a conspiracy," Sky studio analyst Zvonimir Boban said as Benitez gave an interview to rival broadcasters Mediaset in which he was much more talkative than he had been seven days ago.

"I'm not angry," Benitez said. "We played a great game against a strong Inter side. We had control of the game until they reacted, then they levelled with the penalty, but we gave it everything. We didn't collapse, it was just that they got themselves back into the game.

"I saw intensity, good play and big chances created -- all very positive. We've also got to pay tribute to Inter for the two goals they scored. They threw men forward and took more risks, but I was happy with many things I saw from my team.

"It's just a pity we didn't score more goals. We failed to control the final 20 minutes, but Inter truly are a strong side. We've got to carry on playing like this, though, and then we'll achieve something big."

A win would have taken Napoli to within two points of second-placed Roma, but they are now at risk of losing third place to Lazio on Monday if the Biancocelesti beat fifth-place Fiorentina.

Fiorentina could move to within a point of Napoli with a win in the capital.

Benitez' side face Dinamo Moscow in the Europa League round of 16 on Thursday, while they take a 1-1 draw into the home leg of the Coppa Italia semifinal against Lazio next month.

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