Although Rafa Benitez's Inter has qualified for the knockout stages of the Champions League in the same position that Mourinho's did a season ago, things look very different for the Spaniard. This is after their 3-0 loss away against Werder Bremen, and Benitez's team played poorly. With this latest loss, Benitez has racked up seven defeats in all competitions, which is the amount of losses Jose Mourinho had all of last season. It's normal that the president, Massimo Moratti, is getting fed up, yet it seems like Rafa has a chance to redeem himself with the FIFA World Club Cup. It's truly Benitez's last chance, and if he doesn't manage to inspire the nerazzurri to a couple of wins in Abu Dhabi, Moratti will replace him promptly.
Benitez's team selection was clearly influenced by the upcoming FIFA World Club Cup, with Nwankwo, Biraghi, Santon, Muntari all starting, and 38 year-old Orlandoni making his Champions League debut in goal. Benitez was further hampered when Marco Materazzi injured himself warming up for the match, so the Spaniard chose to put Esteban Cambiasso (who was due to rest this match) in the heart of the defence.
Although they had many new and young players, Inter didn't play a bad first half. They managed to hit the woodwork twice with Pandev, yet they were suspect at the back, often giving a dangerous Bremen sides scoring chances. They conceded the first goal in the 39th minute, a Prodl header which sunk spirits before halftime.
In the second half Werder Bremen ran the show, and former Inter player, Marko Arnautovic, punished Inter with a great volley just five minutes in the second half. Inter were unable to create anything in the second half, and Pizarro sealed the match with a low diagonal strike, making it a humiliating 3-0 for last season's champions.
What are your thoughts regarding this big loss for Inter? Can Rafa manage to drag himself out of these bad times, and start winning in Abu Dhabi? Share your comments below!
4 comments… read them below or add one
Injuries or no injuries the Nerazzurri are struggling and there are other reasons beyond injuries. Post World Cup fatigue, Mourinho’s departure (he gave Inter a psychological edge), Benitez’s hiring (he’s just not the right coach for Serie A), Sneijder’s decline since World Cup and of course the injuries have all contributed to this tough spell.
World Club Cup is rather a meaningless competition and if it were eliminated no one would really complain. I think even winning the Cup might not be sufficient to revive Inter’s season. Injured stars need to return but also must perform at a high level.
So who gets fired first - Rafa or Carlo?
It’d have to be Rafa, he’s having a terrible season. And Carlo has shown that he can do well in the Premier League, while Rafa hasn’t been too successful in the Serie A.
This Club World Cup could be Rafa’s last chance. Chelsea are missing Lampard and have had other issues but if Carlo can keep club close to top spot for at least end of January then I think they can make a turn around and challenge for EPL title.