Who are they? Internazionale
Where are they from? Milan, Italy
How did they qualify? As 2009/10 UEFA Champions League winners
Inter picked up the Champions League after 45 years of pain last season, thanks especially to Jose Mourinho, who guided the Nerazzurri to a historic "Triplete" (Serie A, the Coppa Italia and the Champions League). After two years in Milan, the Portuguese packed his bags and headed to Real Madrid for a new challenge, leaving Inter to appoint former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez.
Benitez is trying to introduce a more entertaining and possession based game to the Nerazzurri, but presently players and fans are not too satisfied with the Spaniard, and he continues, for many of the club’s faithful, to live in Mourinho’s shadow. Inter won their second, and for the time being last, Club World Cup title in 1965 and, with poor league form only adding to its appeal, the trophy has become one of the principal targets for their season. Should they fail then Benitez could pay the ultimate price.
Expectations
The club’s expectations are particularly high, from the boardroom to the stands. Inter want to regain the Club World Cup title, especially as their form in Serie A has suffered and they have made heavy work on their Champions League group. Beset with a number of muscle injuries to key players (Julio Cesar, Maicon, Walter Samuel, Diego Milito and Esteban Cambiasso), Rafael Benitez and his coaching staff have been fingered as the most culpable for the fitness crisis gripping the Nerazzurri.
Key Players
Samuel Eto’o – Forward: Last season – his first for Inter – the Cameroonian left the role of central striker to Diego Milito, operated on the flank, and as a result his goal tally took a hit. Even so, Eto’o was a key player in the Nerazzurri’s fantastic campaign, especially in Europe. This year however, the former Barcelona man is playing as a lone striker, and has scored almost all Inter’s goals. Eto’o was sent off recently against Chievo, and banned for three Serie A games. The result will be a player fresh and focused on the Club World Cup.
Wesley Sneijder – Attacking Midfielder: After an impressive season, culminating with raising the Champions League trophy aloft and turning out in the World Cup final in South Africa, Sneijder is now one of the main contenders for the Ballon d’Or. Yet the Dutchman has begun the 2010/11 campaign off the pace, looking tired and unhappy. The Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi could be the boost he needs.
Dejan Stankovic – Midfielder: The Serb looks one of the fittest and most in-form players from the Nerazzurri’s poor start to the season. He netted a glut of goals against Parma in the club’s recent 5-2 win and should be a key man for Inter at the Club World Cup. Stankovic will play alongside Esteban Cambiasso in front of a defence which does not look as solid as last year.
Coach
Rafael Benitez: When Benitez accepted the job of Inter coach, the Spaniard probably realised he was taking on an impossible job. Mourinho won everything in Milan and the ex-Liverpool boss has found a group of players significantly less hungry than in previous years. Rumours that Benitez is drinking in the last chance saloon following a number of defeats which have left them well of the pace in Serie A continue to swirl in Italy. And should Benitez fail to win the Club World Cup, President Massimo Moratti may decide enough is enough.
Prediction
The Nerazzurri are clear favourites for the Club World Cup in the United Arab Emirates. It could well be that two "Inters" will meet in the final, with Benitez’s men lining up against Internacional of Porto Alegre. In July, President Moratti indicated that the Club World Cup could be one of the key moments in the club’s season; their motivation is not in doubt and Benitez can win the trophy.
