UEFA Champions League preview: Inter Milan – FC Twente
Rafa looking to save his job
Inter Milan’s nose diving season continues to grow worse with each passing game. Rafa Benitez was never a top-quality League manager as his stint with Liverpool FC testifies. However, the Spaniard has always done well in the Champions League. Prior to being
humiliated at White Hart Lane by Gareth Bale’s Tottenham Hotspurs, Nerazzuri were having a reasonably well group stage.
As things stand, Inter stand second in the League with seven points, level on points with group topping Tottenham. Nerazzuri must win this game to stay in contention of the top spot in the group as Spurs are expected to prevail against Werder Bremen at home.
Where a draw would not be a disaster, a defeat will put Inter’s progression hopes into serious jeopardy and Benitez will surely get his marching orders.
Injury situation at San Siro grows little better but Benitez is still confident of his boys getting the three points, “I am sure this is going to be the first in a long series of victories. The players are doing all they can, even if it's a quite tricky
situation we are going through [Inter are without a win in their last five competitive outings]. We can still win everything, and when all our players are fit again I think we will do well. As always, things depend on us”
Dutch progression dreams
When the draws were made for group stages, no one expected Dutch Champions to mount a qualification challenge. Inter Milan, fresh from their triumphant season, were expected to finish top while Tottenham Hotspurs were bookies' favourite. Even though FC Twente
rank third in the group, they have won many admirers with their attacking brand of football and a victory tonight will significantly boost their progression chances.
The Tukkers have five points – two points behind Inter – from the opening four games and a victory will see them leapfrog the reigning European Champions into second spot. With Nerazzuri struggling badly at the moment, Michel Preud'homme will be eager to
throw a sucker punch and add further to Rafa’s misery. Michel knows now is the perfect time to face the Milanese giants.
"It is the best possible time to face Inter, but even with so many players missing they are tough opponents and they have a lot of interesting young players. They're still a great club. Their coach is under pressure, but we expect to face a good Inter side.
We are not having an easy time either – we have lost two games in a row – but that is the league and this is something completely different”
Team News
Inter Milan
Rafa Benitez will have to do without a host of key players for this game – yet again. Chivu, Milito, Obi, Coutinho, Samuel, Maicon, Muntari and Cesar are all out injured. Thiago Motta is reported to be fit but will start from the bench. On a positive note,
Esteban Cambiasso’s return will be a happy addition as he will hold a creaking Nerazzuri squad.
FC Twente
The reigning Dutch Champions have a clean bill of health for this crucial tie as midfielder Theo Jansson returns from the injury and will start from the off.
Key Players
Samuel Eto’o
The talented Cameroon International executed a Zinedine Zidane-like head-butt on Chievo Verona’s Cesar in the Serie A and has been given a three match suspension by the Italian authorities. Eto’o will look to win over the fans with a performance on the pitch.
In a dismal and gloomy Nerazzuri season, Eto’o has been a radiating beacon and Inter’s progression hopes are stacked on his shoulders.
Nikolay Mihaylov
FC Twente custodian will have to be on his toes at all times to ensure any points against a wounded Nerazzuri. Should Nikolay manage to keep a clean sheet, Twente’s chances of upsetting the reigning champions will be significantly boosted.
Prediction
He might not admit it and Morratti won’t say it but, Rafa Benitez is walking a tight rope. A defeat in a fixture of this magnitude will surely be too much for Mr. Morratti. Rafa Benitez has enough European pedigree to eke out a victory. Inter Milan 1 – FC
Twente 0.
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