Defeat unthinkable for Benitez

Inter Milan coach Rafael Benitez ruled out the possibility of defeat as he prepares his European champions for Wednesday’s clash against Dutch champions FC Twente.

Benitez faces the very real possibility of being sacked if he doesn’t win this match following three defeats and two draws in his last five matches.

And yet things would be looking far rosier if Inter did come away with the three points as it would put them into the Champions League knock-out rounds.

“I don’t think we can lose tomorrow, we’ve prepared to win,” Benitez claimed in Tuesday’s pre-match press conference at Inter’s Appiano Gentile base.

“Tomorrow’s will be a special match for everyone because if we win we’ll have qualified.

“We want that to happen and as always it depends on us.

“This could be the first of a long run of victories for us, that’s how I see it.

“I’m feeling positive. Tomorrow’s game is important for the club and all of us; the team is united and the players are working hard because together they can win.

“We’re waiting for the injured players to come back and we’ve got faith, we can still win many things, our aims haven’t been extinguished.”

It was fighting talk from Benitez but there’s no denying his precarious position as once again his president Massimo Moratti failed to unequivocally declare his faith in the Spaniard.

Asked if he had made the right choice when replacing treble-winning Jose Mourinho in the summer, he replied: “Things are done in the moment in which you believe it is right to do them.

“He’s a serious person, he’s got strong shoulders, I believe (in him) so onwards like this.

“I’ve read many names as replacements for Benitez (in the press), each one with interesting characteristics but we’re not being distracted by these things.

“The current coach is trying to find solutions to the injury problems and the way we’re playing.

“He doesn’t have a player to spare, he can’t do much more than he is, he’s working to find a solution each game at a time.

“In a month there will be 10 players back from injury so we’ll be able to do more.”

Injuries is an excuse that Inter have been using a lot this season and it is true that a number of important players are on the sidelines such as Diego Milito, Julio Cesar, Walter Samuel, Muntari Sulley and talented young Brazilian Coutinho.

But midfielder Thiago Motta has been included in the match-day squad and could play a part on Wednesday.

“He’s available and he could be on the bench but there’s no chance he can play 90 minutes,” said Benitez.

The Spaniard also claimmed he was calm over the mounting speculation about his future.

“I’ve been working 25 years in football, I’ve had winning teams like Valencia and then Liverpool, now Inter,” he said.

“I know how things work and for me this team is united. We’re doing 100 percent and I know the fans know that.”

As for Twente, Benitez says his team must pay special attention to dead ball situations.

In the 2-2 draw in Holland, Twente scored both their goals from set-pieces.

“They’re a good team, especially on set-pieces,” said Benitez. “They’re dangerous but I repeat, it depends on us.

“If we do what we should do, we can beat anyone.”

One player he will be hoping shines against his countrymen is playmaker Wesley Sneijder.

The former Ajax and Real Madrid midfielder has been a disappointment this season following his impressive exploits in the last campaign and he has scored only twice.

“Wesley has played a lot, 64 matches in one year, that’s not easy. But I expect him to have a great game,” said Benitez.