Moratti admits Inter are ‘not improving’ under Benítez

(GSM) – Internazionale president Massimo Moratti admits he is unhappy with the lack of improvement that the club has seen since the arrival of new manager Rafael Benítez.

Benítez is under immense pressure as last season’s treble winners find themselves fifth in the Serie A after last night’s 1-0 defeat at the hands of arch-rivals Milan.

Inter were outclassed by Milan with the latter now six points ahead of the European champions in the Serie A standings.

And Moratti was clearly disgusted with the performance after the game while admitting that Inter are ‘not improving’ under Benítez.

“I said yesterday evening that it wasn’t a beautiful game, but not just because we didn’t win, but because it wasn’t really a beautiful derby,” Moratti said.

“Neither of the two teams were able to express themselves best. We also had an opportunity being in numerical superiority, but I didn’t see anything special.

“Anyway, as a situation it’s not terrible even if obviously it’s not inspiring because the derby is the derby and in my opinion you face it with a different mentality.”

When asked if he shares with the media that Inter are not improving under Benítez, Moratti replied: “Yes, I too have this impression. But there are moments in which you can’t get out of problems relating to injuries and also other things.

“If we were to start to get out from this problem, which is also psychological, perhaps the team could start to express itself better.

“Everyone must get their heads down because there is a team. It’s not like we need to wait until January [to sign reinforcements].

“There is a team. It’s not a [winning] team from 10 years ago, but from three months ago and so it’s the same team that has expressed itself very well.

“They have always said that [the size] of Inter’s squad is exaggerated. Now instead it isn’t anymore, but having said that, I am open to understanding what can be done, but before then I have to understand if it’s worth it.”

But Moratti insists Benítez still has the board’s backing, saying: “Yes, he is in a position to do so, certainly.

“The coach was hired because he is one of the people with greater experience, calm and capacity to be able to do things well.

“Sure, for him it was not the easiest situation to take a team that had a lot and had given a lot, and to start again from the beginning, but he must manage to do it.”

Moratti laughed off suggestions that Luciano Spalletti or Leonardo could soon replace Benítez.

“Let’s not joke,” he said.