The UEFA Champions League game between Inter Milan and FC Twente is being seen as a must win game for Inter’s manager Rafael Benitez.
Benitez has been under the spotlight for all the wrong reasons after his side Inter Milan dropped to the sixth position in Serie A, after the 2-1 defeat at the hands of Chievo. Inter are now 9 points adrift league leaders AC Milan who have been in splendid
form winning all of their previous four matches. The success of Inter Milan’s arch rivals this season has put Benitez under excessive pressure from the fans.
Benitez hopes a win will not only put his side through to the next round but will also help in putting the team’s season back on track.
“If we win on Wednesday in the Champions League all will change. We know that the only way we can turn things around is to work harder.” Inter are tied on seven points with group A leaders Tottenham.
There has been speculation of a new manager at Inter and Walter Zenga and Leonardo are tipped to be among those being linked to takeover Benitez as head coach. Inter President Massimo Moratti however has ruled out any such speculation and insists Benitez
will continue. “I have read so many names to replace Benitez, each of them with interesting characteristics but we are not getting distracted.” Moratti has instructed his players to not concentrate on the constant media attention on Benitez.
Inter’s players have also been under fire from the fans and former players. The players have been accused of giving half-hearted performances on the field and lacking the hunger to win. Inter’s league start to the season is their worst performance in six
years. Captain Zaneti however has assured that he, along with other players, will revive to the form they enjoyed under Jose Mourinho. In an interview to Inter Channel,
“Our squad is very strong and we have character, so we will emerge from this difficult time with our heads held high,” Zaneti said.
Samuel Eto’o, who grabbed the headlines after the Chievo match for the head butt he delivered to Bostjan Cesar, has also insisted player performance will improve.
Inter will go into the Champions League fixture with the news that their star striker Eto’o will be suspended for the next 3 league games. His suspension will put added pressure on Benitez as many other key players including Diego Milito, Walter Samuel,
Thiago Motta, Maicon, Julio Cesar, Cristian Chivu and Coutinho have already been sidelined due to injury.
All bets will be on Inter to win the tie despite their poor run. Twente’s manager however will be hoping to frustrate the Inter side just like Brescia, Chievo and Lecce. After 15 matches, the Dutch champions are second in their domestic league. And have
been performing well throughout the season. Inter were held to a 2-2 draw by the Dutch side in their first match of the season.
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