Inter will sit this round out because of the Club world cup, probably for the best from their viewpoint. Currently they are getting beaten left right and centre by practically any team that takes to the pitch against them. Most recent was an absolute demolition job by Werder Bremen, a team that had nothing to play for as they were already eliminated from the Champions League. Conversely, Inter had everything to play for. A win would have allowed them to top the group, and avoid nightmare draws against Barcelona, Chelsea, Manchester United or Real Madrid but they barely mustered an attack, let alone a chance, against the German side. Rafa Benitez said it was a game they didn't have to win, but come the Champions League draw next Friday one wonders whether he will regret saying that.
It's an understatement to say that this season so far has been a total anti-climax if you like this season, a hangover from the glorious night before. They've already been beaten four times in Serie A this season by Lazio, Roma, Milan and Chievo and for their punishment sit ten points behind city rivals Milan. And, whilst it is true they have been injury ravaged some of the performances have simply beggared believe, and would not have been seen on Mourinho's watch last season. There has been a drop in intensity and a focus on ball retention as opposed to the shape counter attacking style that destroyed all comers last season. Additionally, a lack of investment in the summer has caught Inter with their trousers down. With Milito injured and no Balotelli sold Pandev has often had to lead the line, especially with Eto'o suspended and with all due respect to the former Lazio player he has not looked like Inter Milan calibre. B
But these problems are certainly not enough to see Rafa Benitez escape criticism. His bewildering reliance on Marco Materazzi, in the derby especially, left Inter exposed to the pace and power of Milan's Ibrahimovic and Robinho. It would have been better for him to have played Santon at right back in that match allowing Cordoba to sit in at centre back, but that was not to be and Inter slumped to their first home defeat in the league since Juve conquered them in 2008. Many have said Benitez took on an impossible task, winning the treble was always going to be an insurmountable mountain to overcome and even at this stage winning the Scudetto seems very difficult indeed. With Milan having two winnable games before the winter break Inter could find themselves miles off the pace. This leaves Europe as the priority and Moratti will want to taste European glory again. To do that he'll need to pray for a fully fit squad, a signing or two in Jan and maybe a new manager as well before their season is well and truly pissed up the wall.
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