Club captain Luca Ranieri offered a mixed assessment of the Viola's performance after they lost 3-2 in the Conference League last-16 first leg against Panathinaikos.

“We're disappointed. We made a shocking start to the game. We always say we want to get off to a strong, determined start but we began the game terribly today. We did well to get back in it, then again we were soft at the start of the second period. That must never happen again.

“We produced a fantastic reaction because to go 2-0 down away from home at a cauldron of a stadium like this and manage to get back in it – and almost take the lead – in the first half means that we're alive. We're not alive when we start halves the way we did today. But I'm sure that from Napoli onwards we won't be doing that again. We can't wait to play Panathinaikos again next Thursday.”

Asked about the Greek side's time-wasting, Ranieri was pragmatic in his reply:

"That's how it is. When a team is winning, they try to waste as much time as possible and the team that is losing complains. It's happened to us too. It's part and parcel of the game.

“In any case, we'll focus on Napoli for now then we'll look forward to taking them again on at the Franchi next week.”