Napoli manager Rafael Benitez has insisted that the international break offers no excuse for their 1-0 defeat at home to Parma, asking his players to work harder in search of the consistency required to fight for the Scudetto.
The Azzurri lost ground on their Serie A title rivals with a loss last night, caught cold by a late strike from Antonio Cassano.
Benitez believes that Napoli cannot afford to be below their best against any side in Serie A, while eyeing a swift improvement ahead of Tuesday's Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund.
He told Sky Sport Italia: "I am disappointed, because we did not play to our usual level. It's clear that if we don't play well and our opponents do, then we will struggle.
"We lost the ball too easily, allowed too much space on the counter and wasted a few opportunities going forward with Gonzalo Higuain and Goran Pandev.
"We have to work harder, but also work well. Naturally when there are two games per week, we don't have much time, but must analyse what didn't work and try to improve."
Napoli currently sit four points behind Serie A leaders Roma following their third defeat of the season, with the Giallorossi still to play this weekend.
Liam Power
