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Inter were supposed to defeat Seongnam and they did it. But no fanfare, please. Despite being Asian champions Seongnam could never be a threat for Inter or any other European champion. At club level the gap between Europe and Asia is still huge.
However, if the approach is wrong an easy task can turn into a very difficult one - ask Internacional. Rafa Benitez and his guys had the right tension without being nervous and there lies the explanation of Nerazzurri's perfectly timed reaction to the 45th injury of the season: Wesley Sneijder had to leave the pitch after only 30 seconds [pulled muscle, of course]. No self-pity but a strong determination to avoid further complications - Inter went straight for the jugular and Dejan Stankovic gave Inter the lead in the 4th minute.
The Serbian midfielder and Samuel Eto'o were Inter's driving forces in the first half. In the 32nd minute Zanetti scored the 2-0 after a brilliant backheeled delivery from Diego Milito. Two assists for the Argentinian striker who scored the third in the second half - a true poacher's goal. Milito's coordination to collect a rebound, after Eto'o shot was saved by Jung Sung Ryong, to place it first touch into the net proves he's back to his old standards. A general feeling of freshness, calmness, surrounded el Principe's performance, which eclipsed the image of the tired and worried player struggling after last summer World Cup.
A good win in the end. Easy. Easy because Inter made it look easy. Rafa Benitez wisely decided not to risk all his returning players, so he left Maicon on the bench - his fresh legs will be more useful and decisive against TP Mazembe on Saturday afternoon. Another game Inter must win.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Dejan Stankovic. A good sub last season, now the Serbian is the real engine of the team. His enthusiasm and determination are admirable and infectious.
FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP 2010 - Semifinal / Abu Dhabi, Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium
SEONGNAM-INTER 0-3 (0-2)
Seongnam: Jung Sung Ryong, Ko Jae Sung, Sasa Ognenovski, Cho Byung Kuk, Choi Sung Kuk (Song Ho Young 67'), Dong Geon, Radoncic (Jin Ryong 87'), Molina, Sung Hwan, Chul, Jael Cheol Cheon Kwang Jin 68'). Coach: Shin Tae Yong
Inter: Julio Cesar, Zanetti, Cordoba, Lucio, Chivu (Santon 79'); Stankovic, Cambiasso; Pandev, Sneijder (Thiago Motta 4'), Eto'o; Milito (Muntari 77'). Coach: Rafa Benitez
Referee: Roberto Moreno (Panama)
Goals: Stankovic 3', Zanetti 32', Milito 73'
Yellow card: Ognenovski
 
Comments
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Posted by Sam on 12/16/2010
A good win for Inter, is so easily could bave been another poor defeat. Milito's form was good but to be honest I think it was a reflection of the coach finally returning to the tactics that the team played so well to last season, tactics that fit perfectly into Milito's characteristics.
As for the future, well a tough but very winnible game against the African champions then a return to Serie A. I cannot see us getting close to Milan this season and we must concentrate on securing a top three finish and winning the coppa and doing well in the CL. My main concern going forward (aside from more muscular injuries!) is Benetiz's apparent inability to lifts his team for 'minor'games, mainly league games. It is all good to have the team built up for the big matches and cup games but we cannot just slide in the league. I think the Bremen match is a clear indicator of this inability. Benetiz has to basically treat every match left this season as a final if Inter are to get anything from it.
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Posted by Franco on 12/16/2010
Benitez has chosen to play Mourinho's Inter to defeat very very very average opponents. A dull game played in a sort of cathedral filled with people who couldn't careless of football. Fifa Club World Cup must change formula otherwise none will care anymore of this tournament. Seongnam Champions of Asia? They'll struggle in Championship or italian serie B... Inter will be severely tested in serie A and Champions League not in this fake tournament final
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Posted by Joe on 12/16/2010
FYI, Seongnam are an average K-league side that struggled towards the end of the recent season that just ended.
It was a wonder for many in Korea that they managed to win the Asian CL of the four Korean clubs that made it to the quarter finals. I think they were by far the weakest representative from Korea in the Asian CL...
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Posted by Tim on 12/18/2010
Sam, what did the Bremen match mean for Inter? Bugger all. If you want a dead rubber to prove to you that RB is a clear indicator of inability to get a team up for a match then keep looking for obscurity and you'll find it. The Bremen match was about avoiding injuries, fulfilling their obligations, getting some young players some experience and keeping people fresh for the World Club Cup. As a manager going through the season especially with Inter's injuries from 18 months of continuous football on an ageing squad you have to pick the battles to fight and win. Sure enough after this mornings win you'll be saying yeah but its only the world club championship but you can only beat whats put in front of you and two 3-0 victories is a nice result for domination of both fixtures.
Give RB another 2 months and you'll be back to 3 points away from AC and in the qtrs or semi's of the CL and a strong chance to repeat last years results.
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Posted by minor squabbles on 12/19/2010
@Tim, have you any evidence that that will happen? This isn't some game where Inter Milan can just load back to a previous savegame and sack the manager to ensure the next 2 months will be better. What if they drop out of the CL and go mid-table after 2 months? Why should we give him another 2 months, exactly? You're just talking about how Benitez 'mastered' the aspect of what we call 'squad rotation', even Mick McCarthy can do that.
At times, he had been tactically deft and inept; an important point here. And it's a wonder how so many players get injured. It cannot be down to bad luck. Look at Xavi and Iniesta, they played the whole tournament and are not knocked out cold because of injuries. Look at Puyol, Pique, Fabregas, Torres etc. Some of them might have a slump in form but they're not out injured.
If you go by statistics then it would be strange for Inter to gather 18 injuries single-handedly on chance alone because in other places, most WC players are not quite injured.
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Posted by Kier Smith on 12/22/2010
Rafa Benitez is a superb manager, he has won 2 la liga's, a Uefa cup, a carling cup, a Champions League with a very average Liverpool side, he took Liverpool to 2nd - but i hasten to point out they amassed a whopping 86 points that year and fell only to Manchester United (of course) with 90 points! he has now added the World Club Cup to his glowing CV. There is nothing this man can't or won't acheive. Inter will be champions of Italy come the end of the season. Keep going Rafa, it's massively important the board back him, because they haven't so far, and it undermined his time at both Valencia and Liverpool - and look where they are now? a pale shadow of their former selves. Rafa knows what he wants, he has to be allowed to get on with it.
Kier Smith - Tottenham Fan.
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Posted by John Barthes on 12/24/2010
Fabregas and Torres, have been injured continually for the past 12 months (Torres hardly featured in the world cup because of this), it is critical to rotate the squad.
Benitez is brilliant, I wish he would return to Liverpool.
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Posted by Rhina on 07/24/2012
for the rest of the premiership, as mega rich owenrs make deals behind their managers backs that undermine their authority and cause signings the manager didnt want, sometimes just for the high profile name. Keegan left Newcastle because of it, Jose fell out with Chelsea over it. Mark Hughes is nowt but a puppet at Eastlands who gets the players he is given, although for some reason known only to himself he has managed to swing a deal for Craig Bellamy. You can sign virtually any striker in the world and you sign him? Jesus But the point being is the manager is no longer in a position where he can build the team he wants in 90% of the clubs in the premiership, and its no different at Liverpool. Rafa's refusal to sign a new deal at Anfield unless he gets 100% say in who comes and goes to the club is evidence of one mans passion for his football club. Last summer he wanted Gareth Barry from Villa, but was told the funds were not available to meet Villa's 15ma0demands. Yet somehow the board managed to agree a 20m figure for Robbie Keane, who although a good addition to the squad, was not a player topping Rafa's wishlist. As a result Keane has spent more time on the bench this season as Rafa struggles to accomodate him into his squad, as his real transfer target goes from strength to strength at Villa. And because of this, people question why Rafa spent 20m on Keane and then wont play him. There lies your answer.The premiership has become to much about money these days. Its no longer a game anymore, its a business first an foremost. Rafa is hitting out at it and saying what most managers would love to be able to say, but fear for their necks too much. The difference with Rafa is that he can make those comments safe in the knowledge that Real Madrid are desperate to land him at any cost. And thats a pretty big stick to have at your disposal during contract negotiations!
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Posted by Fravic on 07/26/2012
Who in thier right mind takes rafa seriously anyawy i look at him and just wanna laf, hes an alright manager, but he sure cant pick his battles no-one takes on the best manager the world has ever seen, and wins?!? he is a loser, and nobody cares what he says, most of it is bulls**t anyawy.oh and yes the rules dont apply to fergie because hes the best, most experienced and has been the most sucessful of all the other losers, so of course the rules dont apply to him and with good reason.
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About
Gianni Serra is a European football journalist. He currently writes for lechampions.it, covering international club competitions such as the UEFA Champions League, the Copa Libertadores, the CAF Champions League, the O-League. You can follow him on twitter: @gianniserra20
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