Eto'o ban adds to gloom as Inter fans fear party over (News Feature)

By Alberto Cagliano Nov 23, 2010, 9:58 GMT

Rome - A glum feeling that bad times are back is looming over Inter Milan fans after recent poor performances by the Italian and European champions.

The celebrations in May after the Nerazzurri's best-ever season with a fifth straight Serie A title, the national cup and the Champions League title have given way to the bitter taste of defeat, poor play, countless injuries and disciplinary problems.

Even Samuel Eto'o, the only Inter player to retain the lustre of the past season with 18 goals scored in 19 games, lost his temper at the weekend and head-butted an opponent as mid-table Chievo inflicted a second straight defeat on the champions.

The clash brought back to mind Zinedine Zidane's similar blow on the chest of Marco Materazzi in the 2006 World Cup final between France and Italy - and Tuesday earned the Cameroon striker a three-match league ban and a 30,000-euro (40,700 dollars) fine.

The striker's assault had eluded game officials, but not the television footage used by a sports judge in his sentencing.

With Argentine Diego Milito, who shone last season with 30 goals, and young Brazilian Coutinho already sidelined with injuries, it will be hard to improve an attack that scored just 14 goals in 13 Serie A games - nine carrying Eto'o's signature.

The younger Interisti, those used to bragging with class mates, are immune to the uneasy mood of their parents and are certain that things will soon get back to normal, with Inter again dominating.

But seasoned fans, who experienced long years of disappointment in the 1990s, look with fear at the nine-point gap behind Serie A leaders Milan and brood over the 12 more points they had a year ago.

There is general agreement on the causes of Inter's slump, beginning with the incredible pace that former coach Jose Mourinho imposed on his players last season.

Speculation that coach Rafael Benitez could soon be fired is rampant, despite confidence expressed by president Massimo Moratti, who is again being teased as Minimo - massimo meaning maximum.

'(Benitez) is a serious person, with strong shoulders. I trust him. We move ahead,' the president said.

'I read many names of possible substitutes for Benitez, each with interesting characteristics, but we are not distracting ourselves with these things.'

The club owner has been attributed responsibility for the crisis, having spent very little for new players while selling rising star Mario Balotelli to Manchester City.

Injuries, which are currently sidelining 10 players, have also been explained as the consequences of the stress of last season when many Inter also played at the World Cup, or are being blamed on Benitez's new training methods.

The Spanish coach looks forward to a gradual return from the infirmary as he focuses on qualifying for the knock-out phase of the Champions League, which would be achieved with a victory over Twente on Wednesday.

A further morale booster is available in mid-December when Inter travel to the United Arab Emirates for the Club World Cup.

Veteran fans can perhaps take heart that that Eto'o will then be available and rested, and they can look also at the performance of the Inter defence, so far the best in the Serie A with nine goals conceded.

Read more about Football Champions

Read more about InterMilan

Read more about Twente