Source: Team_Talk
Benitez: Spurs had one eye on Inter
Rafael Benitez has suggested Tottenham had one eye on their clash with his Inter Milan side when they lost at Manchester United on Saturday.[LNB] Spurs went down 2-0 at Old Trafford in the Premier League just three days before Tuesday night's crucial Champions League clash with holders Inter.[LNB]Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has publicly stated his priority this season is qualifying again for Europe's premier club competition through the league.[LNB]But Inter counterpart Benitez reckons Spurs' approach at the weekend proved otherwise.[LNB]"For me, watching the game against United, it's obvious that they were just concentrating on this game," he said upon his arrival in London on Monday night. "I thought they were just thinking about this game because it's very, very important for them. That was my feeling."[LNB]Redknapp believes Tottenham cannot afford to lose on Tuesday night if they are to avoid making qualifying from Group A an uphill task.[LNB]Leaders Inter, on the other hand, could reach the last 16 if they win and the other game in the group goes their way.[LNB]And Benitez confirmed Redknapp's worst fears by hinting he would rest players in Inter's final two group matches if they do qualify early.[LNB]The former Liverpool boss said: "If we do win tomorrow then we are through and we can relax a little bit and we'll be able to perhaps spend more time preparing for forthcoming league games and also the World Club Championship.[LNB]"It's very important to win tomorrow."[LNB]Benitez acknowledged defeat would move Spurs level on points with Inter and throw the group wide open, adding: "We are in a good position now; we are in the driving seat, and we will try to do our best."[LNB]While at Liverpool, Benitez failed to win at White Hart Lane after Redknapp took over Spurs, a record the Spaniard said he would "try to improve".[LNB]He also refused to discuss his interest in Tottenham's man of the moment Gareth Bale, who Inter president Massimo Moratti has already confirmed was on the European champions' radar even before his sensational San Siro hat-trick two weeks ago.[LNB]But Benitez hinted he might speak more freely after tomorrow's game.[LNB]"Gareth Bale is a rival tomorrow, so that's it. I cannot talk about the future," he said.[LNB]"He's good but I think this is a question for Harry Redknapp more than me.[LNB]"I will speak to you after the game."[LNB]Left-back Cristian Chivu stressed stopping Spurs was about more than stopping Bale.[LNB]"He's very good and he's very young," the Romania captain said.[LNB]"He still has plenty of time to become the player that he wants to be.[LNB]"For sure, he is achieving reaching a very high level.[LNB]"But when we talk about Tottenham, we are not talking about Bale.[LNB]"We are talking about a very good team which stays very good on the pitch, which is very strong physically and has players with quality.[LNB]"I think that's what we need to be careful about, not only one player."
