Massimo Moratti backs Rafael Benitez despite Luciano Moggi's comments
Massimo Moratti, president of Inter Milan, has said he supports manager Rafael Benitez after long-time general director of Juventus Luciano Moggi directed flippant comments against the pair.
Moggi, before leaving his post as a result of match-fixing allegations in 2006, said Moratti had failed to find a suitable successor to Jose Mourinho after Inter lost 2–1 to Chievo on Sunday 21 November.
"Inter are finished," Moggi told Gold TV. "And for sure Moratti caused it by replacing Mourinho with Benitez — the complete opposite [of his predecessor]."
Inter now has 20 points in 13 games, nine short of leaders AC Milan.
"I feel irritated after the loss to Chievo, losing is never nice," Moratti told reporters after the defeat.
In their coming games, Benitez's team will suffer from the absence of Samuel Eto'o, who will likely be punished for headbutting Chievo's Bostjan Cesar during Sunday's encounter, with midfielder Jonathan Biabiany. Goalkeeper Julio Cesar is already on the
sidelines.
"Of course, there are many negative situations, especially on the injury front, which mean it is hard to change. However, we have to go on and respond to the challenges in the league and [in the Champions League]."
Must bounce back against Twente
On Wednesday 24 November, Inter host FC Twente in the Champions League after suffering a 3–1 defeat to Tottenham in the last leg of the competition.
Moratti, who insisted on his support for Benitez, said that the European fixture provided the perfect opportunity for the Spaniard's team to react after their poor run in the league.
"Faith in Benitez? Yes. But let's try to get a result against Twente. We have to understand the game on Wednesday is important. We need to be angry or we won't go anywhere."
Victory against Twente would secure Inter's place in the tournament's knock-out stage.
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