MX23RW : Friday, January 10 07:09:21| >> :600:469108:469108:

Michael Laudrup looking forward to Napoli contest

Swansea City manager Michael Laudrup believes that his side's Europa League draw against Napoli was the toughest that they could have faced.

Swansea City manager Michael Laudrup has claimed that his side's Europa League draw against Napoli was the toughest that they could have faced.

The Swans were pitted against the Italians in the last 32 of the competition on Monday.

Napoli, who are managed by Rafael Benitez, dropped down to the Europa League after narrowly failing to get out of their group in their Champions League.

"It is probably the hardest tie we could have had," Laudrup told the club's official website. "I said before the draw that I felt Napoli and Juventus were the best teams in the competition, but I also said that my players and our fans deserved a big club.

"Napoli is certainly a big club; with a very good team and a top manager. They won all their home games in the Champions League and for a club to fail to qualify after picking up 12 points is unheard of.

"It is certainly a tie for everyone to look forward to. It will be a great experience for the team, the club, the fans and the city."

Swansea continue their Premier League campaign on Sunday when they welcome Everton to the Liberty Stadium.

ID:124766: cacheID:124766:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2289:
Written by
Jack Prescott
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Swansea boss Michael Laudrup on the touchline during his team's Europa League group match against Valencia on September 19, 2013
Read Next:
Swansea draw Napoli in Europa League
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leeds UnitedLeeds26158348192953
2Burnley26141023192252
3Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd26166436171952
4Sunderland26148439221750
5Middlesbrough26118743321141
6West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom26913432211140
7Blackburn RoversBlackburn2511682823539
8Bristol City2691073330337
9Watford25114103536-137
10Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds2610793840-237
11Norwich CityNorwich269984337636
12Swansea CitySwansea2697103030034
13Queens Park RangersQPR2671182934-532
14Millwall257992423130
15Preston North EndPreston2661282834-630
16Coventry CityCoventry2678113437-329
17Oxford UnitedOxford Utd2577112840-1228
18Derby CountyDerby2676133135-427
19Stoke CityStoke2669112432-827
20Luton TownLuton2674152744-1725
21Portsmouth2458113041-1123
22Hull City2658132536-1123
23Cardiff CityCardiff2558122540-1523
24Plymouth ArgylePlymouth2548132453-2920


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!