Benitez: Napoli focus on Parma, not Dortmund
Rafael Benitez will not base his Napoli team selection against Parma on Tuesday's crucial UEFA Champions League tie with Borussia Dortmund.
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/dMvNMrLoUJxLpzvCr38BJM.jpg)
The Naples outfit resume their Serie A campaign at home to Roberto Donadoni's charges on Saturday, before travelling to the Signal Iduna Park to square off with Dortmund.
Napoli - who sit second in Group F - currently lead last season's Champions League runners-up by three points, and will secure their progress to the round of 16 with a win.
But head coach Benitez refused to look beyond the Parma game as he looks to restore Napoli back to winning ways in the league following a 3-0 reverse against reigning champions Juventus last time out.
"The next game is always the most important," he said. "We're thinking about Parma and my team selections will be based on that tie and not the Dortmund one.
"All of my players are focused and ready, then we'll see what we do against Parma. But I have really liked what I saw in training.
"I've obviously watched the 3-0 defeat to Juve again. We gave them too much space in the opening minutes."
Ahead of the clash, Benitez highlighted Antonio Cassano as Parma's biggest threat but is wary of sevral others who can hurt his side.
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
He added: "The quality of Antonio Cassano is clear to everyone. He is a dangerous player who we will have to be aware of.
"Parma also have Jonathan Biabiany and his pace is dangerous, as well as Amauri.
"They have players who work well in the defensive phase and who are good on the counter."
Napoli have amassed 28 points from 12 Serie A fixtures this season, a return which has guided the team to third place.
![LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 5: Arne Slot Manager of Liverpool congratulates Mohamed Salah of Liverpool after the 4-0 victory during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between Liverpool FC and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Anfield on November 5, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/q3ie7X2vDDiU7X6C9HVRK7-840-80.jpg)
‘The pure simplicity of the way Slot has managed the squad is probably the biggest thing I could say about him. It’s not broken, so let’s get on with it’: Liverpool legend full of admiration for Jurgen Klopp's successor at Anfield
![CARDIFF, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 02: Wales captain Ryan Giggs shakes the hand of manager John Toshack after being substituted on his last International appearance for his country during the Euro 2008 Group D Qualifying Match between Wales and Czech Republic at the Millennium Stadium on June 2, 2007 in Cardiff, Wales. Photo by (Stu Forster/Getty Images)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ooQ9oNmgvfUUG8TBUhn6BK-840-80.jpg)
‘I trained at Spurs and thought they’d give me a chance. But I received a letter thanking me but saying they didn’t think I was good enough – I was gutted’: How Tottenham missed out on signing Wales legend John Toshack