Tag: benitez

BENITEZ UNDER PRESSURE

The pressure on Inter Milan manager Rafa Benitez is becoming increasingly clear for everyone to see. Inter Milan coach Rafa Benitez can expect to feel the pressure again this season after his makeshift team threw away the chance to top Champions League Group A, slumping to a 3-0 defeat at Werder Bremen on Tuesday.

The Germans, already eliminated after failing to win a match in their group until Tuesday, struck three times and hit the woodwork twice as the sluggish Italians looked nothing like the side that won the trophy last season.

The pressure on Inter Milan manager Rafa Benitez is becoming increasingly clear for everyone to see. Inter Milan coach Rafa Benitez can expect to feel the pressure again this season after his makeshift team threw away the chance to top Champions League Group A, slumping to a 3-0 defeat at Werder Bremen on Tuesday.

The Germans, already eliminated after failing to win a match in their group until Tuesday, struck three times and hit the woodwork twice as the sluggish Italians looked nothing like the side that won the trophy last season.

Inter finished the group stage second behind Tottenham Hotspur, who drew 3-3 at Twente Enschede, when a win against Bremen would have been enough to put them top.

They currently trail in the Serie A table behind Juventus

INTER DRAW ON OPENING DAY

Inter Milan could manage only a draw on the opening day after being held by Bologna. Playing on Monday after their European Super Cup defeat by Atletico Madrid on Friday, Inter dominated but were unable to find a way past the Bologna defence.

Inter were encamped in Bologna’s half for much of the second period but Emiliano Viviano made some key saves.

And late on Samuel Eto’o clipped the bar from substitute Coutinho’s cross.

“He did very well with his head, with his hands, with everything,” joked Benitez of Viviano’s performance.

Inter Milan could manage only a draw on the opening day after being held by Bologna. Playing on Monday after their European Super Cup defeat by Atletico Madrid on Friday, Inter dominated but were unable to find a way past the Bologna defence.

Inter were encamped in Bologna’s half for much of the second period but Emiliano Viviano made some key saves.

And late on Samuel Eto’o clipped the bar from substitute Coutinho’s cross.

“He did very well with his head, with his hands, with everything,” joked Benitez of Viviano’s performance.

On Sunday, Inter’s rivals AC Milan romped to a 4-0 win over Lecce, while on Saturday Claudio Ranieri’s Roma, who finished second last season, drew 0-0 with Cesena.

Elsewhere in Europe, Real Madrid were held 0-0 at Mallorca in Jose Mourinho’s first game in charge, while champions Barcelona cruised to a 3-0 win over Racing Santander.

INTER MILAN IN FOR BENITEZ

Italian football giants Inter Milan have reportedly established contacts with Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez.

Inter Milan made their move at the weekend, just when everyone thought they were chasing England manager Fabio Capello.

“Inter have been happy for everyone to think they want Capello as it’s taken everyone’s attention away from Benitez,” The Sun quoted an Italian source, as saying.

The Italian team hopes to cash in on the uncertainty over Benitez’s position as Liverpool manager, as it is being speculated that Capello wants to see out his England contract until after Euro 2012.

Italian football giants Inter Milan have reportedly established contacts with Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez.

Inter Milan made their move at the weekend, just when everyone thought they were chasing England manager Fabio Capello.

“Inter have been happy for everyone to think they want Capello as it’s taken everyone’s attention away from Benitez,” The Sun quoted an Italian source, as saying.

The Italian team hopes to cash in on the uncertainty over Benitez’s position as Liverpool manager, as it is being speculated that Capello wants to see out his England contract until after Euro 2012.

“Benitez is a manager I have always considered very good, but for the moment he is engaged,” Inter Milan President Massimo Moratti said.

Benitez, who has also been courted by Juventus, plans to hold more talks over his future at Anfield amid growing speculation they will part company following the Kop’s worst season since 1999.