Benitez happy to grind amidst injury plague

Inter Milan boss Rafa Benitez hailed his side’s ability to grind out a result following their Champions League victory over Twente on Wednesday.

Inter defeated the Dutch champions 1-0 thanks to a second-half goal from Esteban Cambiasso, but a long injury list was noticeable as Benitez’s team looked a far cry from the side which won the coveted Champions League trophy last season.

But the win ensured a knockout stages berth and Benitez was proud of his players’ ability to earn all three points despite the underwhelming display.

“It is always important to win,” Benitez told Sky Sport Italia.

“If a coach is having problems, then the team and the club are also having problems. This side played very well at the start of the season, then the injuries came and it’s not easy to work.”

“Tonight we saw the team wanted to win and after Esteban Cambiasso’s goal we went looking for a second. That is the right character I wanted to see.”

“In the first half we had some chances, then Twente proved dangerous on the counter-attack. We did better after the break.”

Inter have been struck down with an extended injury list this season, but Benitez believes the imminent return of some of his stars will quickly turn things around for the reigning European and Italian champions.

“We have suffered a lot of injuries in the last few months and when some of our big players are fit again things will change very quickly; next week we should have some players back in the squad and maybe we’ll start improving,” Benitez said.

Twente are now out of contention for a place in the knockout stages but can console themselves with a Europa League berth, earned courtesy of a guaranteed third-placed finish in their group.

But coach Michel Preud’homme was disappointed that they could not make it to the next stage.

“Everyone is disappointed again,” Preud’homme said. “There’s a few mixed feelings because, certainly in the first half, we played very well and had chances to score but did not do so.”

“Everyone said before the start if we can still be there after the winter, even in the Europa League, that would be a good result in a strong group.”

“That is what we have achieved, so that is one good thing. But we had the feeling we really were competing in the group, and that maybe there could have been more in it for us.”