Napoli manager Rafael Benitez has praised Swansea City for their approach to their Europa League fixture in Italy on Thursday night.

Swansea were 12 minutes away from knocking the Serie A side out of Europe before two late goals sealed their fate, but Benitez was quick to give credit to Garry Monk and his team.

The 53-year-old told reporters: "They were a very difficult rival for us. They play good football and they are a very good team.

"We have to give them credit because we had to work very hard to progress. I'm surprised by Swansea's position in the Premier League standings but they are coming back with a new manager to the level that they were before.

"I give credit to Monk, I think that he has a great future ahead of him."

Monk was taking charge of Swansea for just the sixth time after the recent departure of Michael Laudrup.

Written by
Darren Plant