Tuesday 23 December 2014 12:41, UK
Rafael Benitez has described Napoli's Italian Super Cup success as the "greatest victory" after Monday's penalty shootout triumph over Juventus in Qatar.
Goalkeeper Rafael was the hero as he saved Simone Padoin's penalty to earn Napoli a dramatic 6-5 shootout win over the Serie A champions in Doha and exact revenge for defeat against the Turin side in the 2012 final.
The match went into extra-time after Carlos Tevez's fifth-minute opener for Juve was cancelled out by Gonzalo Higuain midway through the second half to leave the sides deadlocked at 1-1 after normal time.
Tevez scored again in the 106th minute but Higuain levelled the game two minutes before the end of extra time to take the match to a penalty shootout.
Victory sealed Napoli only their second Italian Super Cup crown and Benitez was delighted to add to the Coppa Italia title he won in May after succeeding Walter Mazzarri as manager 12 months earlier.
"This was the greatest victory," the Spaniard said on the club's official website.
"Tonight I relish my guys, the staff and all the club. We were willing to rekindle our fans with joy and satisfaction and we played for them too, giving our all as they like and never giving up."
Benitez has now won 12 trophies during his distinguished 21-year managerial career and despite winning La Liga with Valencia, the Champions League with Liverpool and the Europa League with Chelsea, he ranks his latest triumph as the most important.
He added: "I have already said that tonight's win is the most important one.
"This is my 12th trophy and I'm happy to celebrate this record with all the club, the team and with all the Neapolitan fans who have always given us an important boost and support. I would like to devote this success to them."
Two-goal hero Higuain dedicated the cup win to Napoli fans and hopes it spurs his side - currently fourth in Serie A, 12 points behind runaway leaders Juve - to further success after the two-week winter break.
"We proved our value, I would like to devote this win to all our supporters," the Argentina striker said.
"I'm extremely delighted, the team played a brilliant match, we proved that when there is more intensity and high pace we can fight against everybody.
"This cup cheers us and we will spend a wonderful Christmas. We needed this huge satisfaction and we pulled it off with all our strength. We should give more continuity after this result in the championship."
