Cool Benitez brings elegance to Inter's image (News Feature)

By Alberto Cagliano Sep 13, 2010, 9:58 GMT

Rome - It is still too early to tell if Rafael Benitez will match the triumphs of Jose Mourinho at the helm of Inter Milan, but in just three months he has already contributed to an improved club image.

If envy is a natural by-product of success, Inter were an obvious target after taking home all the available trophies in the past season.

Mourinho left after adding the Champions League to national title and cup. But many in Italy were relieved to see his oversized ego, which sometimes bordered on disrespect for opponents, move to Real Madrid.

Benitez arrived from Liverpool and made his debut by securing the Italian Supercup in August. But Inter then lost the continental Supercup 2-0 against Atletico Madrid.

Inter Fans were not amused by the slip-up. But they continued to study the new coach, comparing him to his predecessor, and started appreciating his more refined irony when dealing with the press or talking about rivals.

He displayed pragmatism on the weekend after a mildly convincing 2-1 win over Udinese and winked at the supporters who flocked to the Giuseppe Meazza for the first home game of the Serie A season.

'Winning was crucial,' he said, 'and I must thank the fans who supported the team.'

Last week he commented on AC Milan being considered the new front-runners after signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Robinho in a transfer campaign that saw Inter remain virtually unchanged.

'This week I heard that Milan are favourites to win everything,' Benitez said.

'It was told also in Istanbul when I played with Liverpool against the Rossoneri. It was being told until the end of the first half of that game, then something changed.'

Benitez was referring to the stunning 2005 Champions league final in istanbul where Liverpool ralled from 3-0 down at halftime to win on penalties.

His words lacked the smugness that Inter fans have become accustomed to - and they were followed by Milan's incredible 2-0 crash at Serie A newcomers Cesena.

Benitez has not complained about the lack of new arrivals and this week he kicks off the Champions League campaign at Dutch champions Twente Enschede with a squad that any coach would dream to steer.

'This team is strong. It has quality,' he said. 'We must get back the mentality of the past year. We saw it in the (Italian) Supercup game with Roma. With the right mentality we can win everything.'

On his side, Benitez has the players' belief in their possibilities.

Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o is enjoying a good start into the season, with more room to move upfront after often filling protection roles under Mourinho.

His brace sealed the 3-1 comeback win over Roma in the Supercup and his penalty on the weekend gave Inter the three points against Udinese.

'Everybody talks about about Milan and Juventus, who got much stronger, and Roma, too,' Eto'o said. 'But we have all we need to keep winning.

'I respect everyone but I fear nobody. Fear in football does not exist.'