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Napoli's Sarri admits 'a little bit of regret' after Europa elimination

Napoli boss Maurizio Sarri has admitted regret in his side's elimination from the Europa League on Thursday.

The Serie A leaders crashed out in the round of 32 of the competition on the away goals rule despite a 2-0 win in Germany in the second leg.

"There is a little bit of regret, but the team showed it has character and that could be decisive for us at the end of the season," Sarri said after the match.

"We made a huge mistake in the first leg, treating the last minute of the match as if it were the final minute of extra time.

"We paid for that final goal."

Sarri then focused on the positives, despite Thursday's elimination.

"The team gave a strong response and that is a good message for the League. At times we all go for it a little too much. In the first leg we did not do well.

"We will take the important side to this story, that we have character. The good thing is that we will have more time to train.

"This club has achieved extraordinary results over these years. From this evening's game you can take the positive that there is still one objective.

"In Italy, in the last six years nobody has ever fought it out with Juventus. Obviously everyone wants to win and so do we, but it should be recognised how much we have done.

"The pressure needs to be logical, it can't become illogical. If we manage to make the people of Naples happy, it will be the greatest source of happiness for us. I want to thank the fans who came tonight. Of all the things we have done, the best has been the love between the fans and team."