Roma game no title decider, Benitez insists
Rafael Benitez says the Serie A title will not be decided by Friday's top-of-the-table clash between Napoli and Roma.
The Spaniard takes his Napoli team to the Stadio Olimpico to face a Roma side that have yet to drop a single point from their seven top-flight matches.
Benitez's men have also started the campaign in impressive form, winning six of their seven games with the only blip being a 1-1 draw with bottom side Sassuolo last month.
But the former Liverpool boss insists the fixture will have little bearing on the final standings.
Speaking to Il Mattino, he said: "There are a lot of matches in Serie A and it is a race based on resistance.
"The championship is won at the end of the season, not on Friday night."
Benitez moved to the Stadio San Paolo in the close-season, replacing former incumbent Walter Mazzarri, who took the vacant post at Inter - one of Benitez's former clubs.
And the 53-year-old is looking to build a culture of success in Naples.
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"We have to remain close to perfection in an effort to win something," he added.
"That is our message - we want to be strong as a team and a club.
"Rather than winning once, I'd prefer to remain at the top for five years."