Fixtures

We are 17 or so games in the Rafa Benitez era at Inter Milan and it is clear that Rafa is not up to the job. Inter are lacking the fighting spirit, self-confidence and effectiveness they had under Mourinho.

Benitez has a lot of fans, but a look at the statistical difference between Inter’s first 13 games in Serie A this season versus last season are alarming.

With the loss to Chievo, Inter have now played 13 Serie A games this season, Inter are sixth with just five wins, 20 points and a measily 14 goals. Inter are now eleven points behind the same stage last season, when they were top, and have scored less than half the 32 Mourinho’s team had managed.

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Inter‘s injury woes continue with the news that defender Cristian Chivu picked up an injury on international duty with Romania and will be out for two weeks.

Chivu played just 15 minutes in Romania’s 1-1 international friendly draw against Italy before picking up a thigh strain. According to Football Italia, scans on Thursday have confirmed that the defender will now be out of action for two weeks which leaves Inter coach Rafa Benitez short of defensive cover for Sunday’s trip to Chievo.

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Inter has spent the last couple of seasons conducting pre-season training in the U.S.., and it looks like in 2011, part of that pre-season training will take place in Ireland.

The Irish Football Association (FAI ) have announced that Inter will take part in a four-team tournament at the Aviva Stadium on 30 and 31 July 2011. Airtricity League XI will also participate in the inaugural tournament and organisers have also promised that a top Premier League club and a major European side will complete the line-up.

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Inter return to action after a disappointing week in the Champions League, buy they have a great opportunity to get back to winning against Brescia this weekend. Inter are currently second in Serie A with 18 points from nine matches, and are unbeaten in the league in four matches and have yet to lose at home this season.

Brescia on the other hand are currently lying in 16^th position in the league, nine points from as many matches, just a point ahead of the relegation zone.

INTER SQUAD

With Muntari, Stankovic , Mariga, Thiago Motta, Suazo, Cambiasso and Julio Cesar all out injured, Rafa Benitez named this squad for the game:

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It was another impressive performance by Jonathan Biabiany against Genoa and after the game, Inter‘s young star had this to say to the media”

“I had more chances to show what I can do today. I had the space to counter-attack and make fast runs, but Genoa attacked in numbers. Sometimes the last pass was missing and we tried to kill off the game at the start of the second half, but they kept playing long balls to Toni.”

Biabiany went close to scoring against the Rossoblu after a pass from Sneijder, but was thwarted by Eduardo.

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A big Champions League encounter with Spurs is on the calendar for next week, but Inter boss Rafa Benitez is only focused on Friday’s trip to Genoa.

In his press-match press conference Rafa had some interesting comments on his team, Milito and the Milan v Juve game this weekend:

“It’s always better without midweek matches because you can train better, and Rivas, Mancini and Milito were back in full training yesterday,”

The Inter coach is not sure if Milito will play against his former club, but admitted that there will be a place on the bench if everything goes well.

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Diego Milito has apologised for saying he was considering a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid in the summer and insists he is perfectly happy at Inter. Milito is frustrated that he does not have a new contract

“I am very happy at Inter. After that Final in Madrid this whole story was built up,” said Milito on Inter Channel. I made a mistake in saying certain things right after the final whistle, but I was being honest, even if that probably wasn’t the right moment to come clean. I want to clear up once again that I never said I wanted to leave. I was, am and will be very happy at Inter. I want to continue here because this is a great club that has given me so much on a personal level and I am truly happy about that.”

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It seems that Wesley Sneijder’s contract talks with Inter have broken down which is not a good thing.

According to Il Giorno, Sneijder who is on €4 million per year, is looking for a pay increase to around €6.5m a year. Compared to what everyone else is making €6.5m does not seem an outlandish demand to me.

But it is to Inter, who are faced with a tough decision with Sneijder who has two and a half years left on his current deal. If Inter decide not to resign Sniejder, then they will have to sell him this summer, as he will be most valuable in the transfer market then.

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Some midweek Serie A action as Inter play host to Bari on Wednesday. After two successive league wins, Inter are up to second in Serie A with seven points, behind leaders Cesena only on goal difference.

Inter have yet to reach peak form this season and one reason for the “slow” start has been Diego Milito whohas failed to score so far this season. Milito’s agent has been getting plenty of press this week talking about how his client does not feel as secure under Rafa as he did under Mourinho. A couple of goals from Milito against Bari will make everyone happier.
Benitez’s stewardship.

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