Napoli coach Rafa Benitez admits losing Pepe Reina last summer was a blow.

Reina left for Bayern Munich, having spent the previous season on-loan with Napoli from Liverpool.

"We are talking about a good goalkeeper, but above all Pepe was a Neapolitan Spaniard.

"He has a very similar mentality to those in this city and that means he's loved by the fans and people follow his lead in the locker room," said Benitez.