Group A: RAFAEL Benitez's job will not be under threat even if Inter Milan lose this week's "very important" Champions League home game with Twente Enschede, club president Massimo Moratti said yesterday. Media reports had speculated the Spaniard would be sacked if tomorrow night's game, where holders Inter can progress to the last 16 with a win, goes badly.
The treble winners lost 2-1 at Chievo on Sunday to fall nine points behind Serie A leaders AC Milan, who beat their lacklustre rivals in the city derby two weeks ago.
Asked if faith would be shown in Benitez irrespective of tomorrow night’s result, Moratti said: “Yes but we must try to get a good result because it is rather important.
“The coach and the squad must understand that Wednesday’s game is very important. Tired or otherwise, the game absolutely needs to be played with anger because otherwise we won’t go anywhere.”
Benitez was always likely to face a tough job in matching Jose Mourinho’s stunning season last term when Inter won the Champions League, a fifth straight scudetto and the Italian Cup but a raft of injuries and lack of new buys have hit his plans.
“I’m pleased to have the feeling that the team and the club have certainly not shown a lack of confidence in him,” Moratti added.
Inter are likely to find out soon whether top scorer Samuel Eto’o will be added to a lengthy list of absentees after headbutting Chievo defender Cesar in the chest.
The officials missed the incident but Serie A will assess video evidence and the Cameroonian could face a suspension for several games.
“It could lead to a heavy ban. I hope nothing happens, but it’s difficult,” Moratti concluded.
Group E
CLAUDIO Ranieri hopes his ever-improving AS Roma can remove all pressure from their final group fixture next month by defeating already-qualified Bayern Munich tonight. Should they do that, and FC Basel and CFR Cluj draw in Switzerland, the Giallorossi – unbeaten in seven matches – would join their opponents in the last 16. Any other set of results would leave the Serie A club’s prospects in the balance ahead of their trip to CFR Cluj.
Group G
AJAX Amsterdam will hope to avenge their September defeat by Real Madrid and boost their hopes of progressing from the group when the teams meet again tonight.
Leaders Madrid secured their place in the competition’s latter stages for the 14th year running when drawing at AC Milan on November 3rd and another point will clinch top spot for Jose Mourinho’s side, while Ajax Amsterdam are looking to make up for their 2-1 defeat at AJ Auxerre in the last series of games.
Despite that loss, Ajax remain just a point behind second-placed AC Milan and will overtake them if they beat Madrid and the Rossoneri fail to win at Auxerre.
