Rafa shrugs off pressure over Inter job
Source: Agencies |
December 15, 2010, Wednesday
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EMBATTLED Inter Milan coach Rafa Benitez said yesterday that he feels "calm and content" ahead of the Club World Cup semifinal match against Asian champion Seongnam Ilhwa as speculation mounts that a loss could cost him his job.
The Italian media has suggested a stumble in Abu Dhabi could end the Spaniard's time at Inter despite only having joined in the offseason on a two-year deal. Inter is seventh in the Serie A standings, 13 points behind leader AC Milan.
Inter president Massimo Moratti piled on the pressure last week following the 0-3 Champions League loss to Werder Bremen, insisting nothing short of the Club World Cup title would suffice. Inter won a prior incarnation of the Club World Cup in 1964 and 1965 when it was called the Intercontinental Cup.
"I feel calm and content and after seeing (Diego) Milito in training," Benitez said. "We have a strong team and we are convinced that we can win the semifinal."
Beset with injuries, Inter has already lost as many games as it did all last season and only qualified second in its Champions League group, mostly because of uncharacteristic defensive lapses.
But as it prepares to face Seongnam Ilhwa today, Benitez insisted the team was playing better than it has all season.
"The team is playing at their best. The environment is positive and it will be positive for this game," Benitez said. "We had a good training session and everybody is cheerful and looking forward to the game."
Benitez refused to name his lineup for Wednesday's match. But defenders Maicon, Cristian Chivu and striker Milito are set to return from injury, while goalkeeper Julio Cesar is hoping to come back for the final.
Milito, who has been training for a week, said he "felt fine" and that he was eager to get out on the pitch and help Inter to a winning start. In the other semifinal, Copa Libertadores champion Internacional of Brazil play African titleholder TP Mazembe of Congo.
"We don't know if we will get a chance to play in this tournament again. So, we will try and give it our best and I'm looking forward to it," Milito said.
"Everybody wants to play good football and everybody is ready."
The Italian media has suggested a stumble in Abu Dhabi could end the Spaniard's time at Inter despite only having joined in the offseason on a two-year deal. Inter is seventh in the Serie A standings, 13 points behind leader AC Milan.
Inter president Massimo Moratti piled on the pressure last week following the 0-3 Champions League loss to Werder Bremen, insisting nothing short of the Club World Cup title would suffice. Inter won a prior incarnation of the Club World Cup in 1964 and 1965 when it was called the Intercontinental Cup.
"I feel calm and content and after seeing (Diego) Milito in training," Benitez said. "We have a strong team and we are convinced that we can win the semifinal."
Beset with injuries, Inter has already lost as many games as it did all last season and only qualified second in its Champions League group, mostly because of uncharacteristic defensive lapses.
But as it prepares to face Seongnam Ilhwa today, Benitez insisted the team was playing better than it has all season.
"The team is playing at their best. The environment is positive and it will be positive for this game," Benitez said. "We had a good training session and everybody is cheerful and looking forward to the game."
Benitez refused to name his lineup for Wednesday's match. But defenders Maicon, Cristian Chivu and striker Milito are set to return from injury, while goalkeeper Julio Cesar is hoping to come back for the final.
Milito, who has been training for a week, said he "felt fine" and that he was eager to get out on the pitch and help Inter to a winning start. In the other semifinal, Copa Libertadores champion Internacional of Brazil play African titleholder TP Mazembe of Congo.
"We don't know if we will get a chance to play in this tournament again. So, we will try and give it our best and I'm looking forward to it," Milito said.
"Everybody wants to play good football and everybody is ready."
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