Rafael Benitez ready to take on Europe's best

Rafael Benitez during Napoli-Bologna fixture

Rafael Benitez, newly appointed Napoli coach, says he is ready to take the UEFA Champions League challenge head-on, after the draw was released yesterday.

The Spaniard’s team, Napoli, are drawn against three of the top European clubs Arsenal, last season’s finalists Borussia Dortmund and Marseille, the only French Ligue 1 outfit to win the coveted title.

Napoli had surpassed Manchester City and Villareal in 2011-12 to finish at the top of their group but it is going to be a challenge for the Italian club to repeat the same feat this season.

During the press conference, he said ,”When you talk about the Champions League, you know all groups are tough, “Ours is one of the most balanced. Certainly, it will be difficult because we will be facing teams who have great experience in the Champions League.”

“It will be a great challenge for us. Borussia [Dortmund] are a top club, they reached the final last season and they play great football. We faced Arsenal recently in London for the Emirates Cup, so we know them well. They have a great manager who is very experienced at European level.

“Against Marseille, I had my first success in Europe, the [2004] UEFA Cup final with Valencia. It won’t be easy in their stadium because their fans are very passionate.”

UEFA Champions League Group stage match-ups are set to begin from the 17th of September.