I won’t bring handcuffs like Mourinho – Beni­tez

(GSM) – Internazionale manager Rafael Benitez has mocked his predecessor Jose Mourinho’s controversial ‘handcuffs’ gesture against Sampdoria, as the team prepares to meet the same side at home on Sunday.

“Will I be bringing my handcuffs? No, I bring glasses to the bench, as I can’t see very well,” joked Benitez when asked about last season’s incident.

“Would you ever see me doing something like that? No. I don’t think it’s easy for a referee to control everything in a game, so if possible we have to help him.

“Admittedly I got angry before and remember kicking the bench when I was with the Real Madrid youth team. I’m old now, I can’t do it anymore!”

Benitez praised the organization of the northern-Italy side while labeling their star player Antonio Cassano as a ‘player of real quality’.

“Sampdoria are an organised side with two very dangerous strikers. It will be a difficult game, they defend well and are very effective on the counter-attack. It won’t be easy to find the right space, but if we do our work then they will have to defend.

“Antonio Cassano is a player of real quality. I’ve been told he is an Inter supporter and obviously can play anywhere, but I think he’s happy where he is.”

The Italian champions’ boss faces a selection headache with star trio Diego Milito, Thiago Motta and Dejan Stankovic all sidelined with injuries.

“The truth is we only had problems in that game for the final two minutes,” argued Benitez after throwing away a 4-0 lead to Gareth Bale’s hat-trick.

“I prefer to focus on the excellent first half. The game seemed to be under control, so I made a few tactical experiments. We just lacked concentration at the end.

“I’d say if we don’t concede and stay close to the goal, we will do well. This team can improve further, by a good 30 per cent.”