Benitez: “We played a bad second half”

Rafa Benitez, Internazionale coach, spoke about Inter’s win, a victory with a thrilling final, against Tottenham Hotspurs, on Sky Sport: “ I’m happy for the victory, for the final score. We were the only ones to win and this is important because we are on top of the table. I didn’t like the second half, we gave them many counterattacks: we did very bad. We are on top of the Italian League, but in Italy, teams are very tactic and so this is harder for us. Coutinho as Vice-Sneijder? Yes he does. He’s a skillful player, has a lot of talent although he still too young. If he works hard, as he’s doing now, it will be better for the future”.

I put Sneijder back because he can give the defenders a hand. I did a lot of changes due to next matches, and Sneijder, could play better in the midfield, because he has skill and technique. We did bad other place, not in the midfield. This year- he goes on- will be hard. We’ve got many over 30 players and is not easy playing to this high level, especially after a hard season as the last one”.

After that, he was interviewed by Rai Sport, and his words are on Inter.it: “Bale? Very good player, but let’s speak about the match. I’m glad for the victory, but I’m not so glad for the second half lack of intensity, after a very good first one. By the way we are first on the table and the only Italian team winning this round. We must learn to manage the match, we cannot do so bad, like the second half. Stankovic? He felt bad to the calf and it was better to stop immediately. With Tottenham without a man, was important the mentality and not the tactics. The three goals conceded can teach us not to do this again. I don’t wanna see another loss of concentration. Chivu? He left the field due to the fatigue. On London we expect a very hard match, we have to pay much attention. Coutinho did a very good match. The real Inter is the one of the first half”.