Inter president Moratti praises Benitez

Inter Milan coach Rafael Benitez has received rare praise from club president Massimo Moratti after guiding the struggling Italian champions into the Club World Cup final.

Moratti, speaking Thursday after Inter’s 3-0 win over South Koreans Seongnam Ilhwa, said: “Benitez has displayed self-sacrifice and great professionalism.

“He has taken a very difficult situation in hand. He has worked really well, with lots of responsibility and experience because yesterday’s match was a very delicate affair.”

Wednesday’s semi-final success came as a welcome fillip for former Liverpool boss Benitez who has endured a difficult first season in charge of Inter, lying only seventh in Serie A, 13 points off city rivals AC Milan.

Moratti now wants Inter to go on and lift Saturday’s final against African champions Tout Puissant Mazembe from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

“We have to win the title, the Congolese have shown their enthusiasm and have proved to be a very effective and dangerous side.”