Benitez: “We have to wait for Motta. Milito? Maybe on bench…”

It will be Genoa and Inter opening the next round of the Serie A on Friday at the Marassi. On the eve of the very difficult trip to Liguria, Rafa Benitez met with journalists at the Appiano Gentile. Here is the Q&A with those who were present:

It has been a week with no other matches besides the one on Friday, what has happened?

"It was positive, because we were able to train well and some were able to rest. Today we have the final training session and then we decide. Thinking about this match, there are players who have returned recently, like Milito. We’ll see after this match how we can manage the rest."

Coutinho has won the starting shirt outright?

"He’s doing well, as is Biabiany. They are youngsters that have to grow and the others who have been here for several years still have to help them." 

What is your idea of Genoa?

"I’ve seen reports by observers and some of their match. It’s a team that wants to hold the ball, it will be difficult when they have possession. They also have a nice fan base. Last year Inter won well at Genoa, but it will not be as easy." 

What do you think of these initial observations of the experts on the outcome of the Serie A?

"The internet is very fast, now it is a bit difficult to have a break from the news, because from day to day, the perspective changes. We must always work with the same idea, to grow each week. Slowly, we will be closer to our idea." 

What is your view on the exclusion of Milito from the Golden Ball list?

"For me he must be there, for what he did. It is something a bit strange. He did very well last year, this must weigh on the decision." 

Imagine you are wearing your glasses on the bench again, do you see an error in the match with Sampdoria?

"I have confidence in the referees, if we help them as we did against Juventus, for example, it will be much easier for them." 

How important is winning to give a signal to the competitors who are ahead of you in the standings?

"The championship is long, if we play well and we grow, it becomes easier to win. We must be sure to do what we can do, but that’s football. We cannot guarantee anything other than the fact that we will give the maximum." 

The problems in defense at the beginning of the season have been passed to those in attack, do you agree?

"It is clear that having players like Milito and Pandev out, counts. If we have them, it is easier for us. I’m happy with the work in defence, but also in attack. We create a lot, those who return will give us yet another dimension." 

Perhaps lacking goals from the midfielders?

"More than anything, we lack midfielders, like Motta or Stankovic, who are injured. In any case, I think that we also lack those from defence or those from the wing." 

If you were the coach of Krasic, what would you say after Bologna?

"I’m not Krasic’s coach. If I were, I would analyze the issue with him. You cannot say it didn’t happen if the matter is clear. We must always protect the player, without denying what happened." 

If Pandev is not with the starters tomorrow is it because you are afraid to leave out Coutinho or because you believe he is not ready yet?

"Change the question: Can I do the same analysis for Milito? I say this because I have great confidence in Pandev, but he needs time after the injury. It was not easy even for Cambiasso the other day. If Pandev works well, he will be 100% important for us. I have to see him today in training, I do not have clear ideas about his use." 

On the Krasic question, what would happen in England for a similar incident?

"I think the management of the Krasic case in Italy is similar to what we would see in England." 

How are the injured players, are there recovery dates for Motta, Stankovic and Mariga?

"We have to wait for Motta, he has a bit of trouble and we do not want to risk it. For Stankovic and Mariga it is still early, but it will be difficult to see Dejan in London. It is good that the other injured players are back. At least we have recovered some." 

Were there errors in the assessment of the injuries?

"I’ll give you an example: I think it will not rain today, but in an hour I can also tell you something different looking at the weather. The same happens with injuries, I am optimistic, but then things can change." 

Do you agree Guardiola will go to United?

"I don’t know, but I know that he is very happy at Barcelona and at this level it is not easy to change teams." 

Will Milito be on the bench?

"Yesterday I spoke with him, he had a good training session, he also wanted to do more. Today we will do something more, if he does not have any problems he will enter the list." 

Do you have a preference between Milan or Juventus as opponents for the Serie A?

"I always prefer that Inter wins. This is the beginning, I know that everyone looks at the standings and it is always better to be in front, but I have managed for many years and I have to analyze how the team is. I am sure that at the end of the championship, we will be in the lead." 

If you realize that with Milito and Eto’o in front of the diamond you can improve things, could there be tactical adjustments?

"I am sure that if Milito is well, there will be talk about the rhombus again. But I prefer this to having to talk about the physical conditions of Milito. It is clear that he is unable to be at a good level again, after the World Cup and the injuries. We all know that he can make a difference. If he can play more we will see tomorrow, but he will be important in the future just as much as Eto’o." 

Is Eto’o as a winger in the three attackers a closed chapter?

"We have to see what to do from week to week, but the team is going well. If we change the formation, will we still have 20 shots of goal? I do not know. We work with them and we see what is best for the team."