Bení­tez credits Cúper and Mancini for Inter success

(GSM) – Rafael Bení­tez has praised Héctor Cúper and Roberto Mancini for their work at Internazionale.

Benítez took over from José Mourinho, who won the treble in his last season at Inter. After four rounds, the Nerazzurri find themselves sole at the top of the Serie A.

Mourinho suggested on several occasions that Bení­tez has it ‘easy’ by taking over an already-successful side.

“In my view, the current Inter are a team showing the fruits of the hard work done by people like Mancini and Cúper before him,” said Benítez.

“Their work made the old guard stronger day after day. I can honestly say that this is not Bení­tez’s Inter, it is the Inter of the players.”

The Spanish manager notably ‘forgot’ the coach that reigned between Mancini and himself.

Tonight, Inter travel to the capital to take on Roma, who are struggling and are still without a victory this season.

“Roma have players of great quality. We saw it last term and in the Italian Super Cup back in August,” said Benítez.

“It will be a difficult game, but we want to play good football and give the fans an interesting spectacle.”

The Giallorossi are surrounded with huge tension after the shocking refereeing errors in their 2-1 defeat to Brescia on Wednesday night.

“What will the atmosphere be like? I am only interested in what happens on the pitch. If we do well there, then everything will be simpler.”

Benítez will be without the injured Walter Samuel and Marco Materazzi while Davide Santon returns to the squad.