Benitez gives two reasons why Inter can win the treble | OneFootball

Former Inter and Napoli coach Rafael Benitez has explained why he believes the Nerazzurri are capable of winning the treble this season, even though there are three teams currently sitting within three points of each other at the top of the Serie A table.

Inter are one of seven teams in Europe who are still able to win the treble – A league title, domestic cup and Champions League – this season, although that number will drop at the end of the current UCL round.

Simone Inzaghi’s side are the only Italian team left standing in the Champions League, a competition in which they boast an increasingly impressive defensive record.

They also sit atop the Serie A table, albeit with a one-point advantage over Antonio Conte’s Napoli with 11 league fixtures of the 2024-25 season remaining.

They will also face rivals Milan over two legs of the Coppa Italia semi-final, and are currently favourites to win the tournament, even though they have lost twice and drawn once against the Rossoneri so far this season.

epa11870885 Stefan De Vrij of Inter celebrates after scoring the 1-1 goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match between AC Milan and Inter FC, in Milan, Italy, 02 February 2025. EPA-EFE/NICOLA MARFISI

Benitez explains why Inter can win the treble in 2024-25

While there is still a long way to go before the conclusion of the 2024-25 campaign, Benitez, who briefly coached Inter in 2010, believes that Simone Inzaghi has the necessary tools at his disposal to mount a serious challenge for the treble.

Explaining why Inter are capable of winning multiple trophies this season in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Benitez said: “First of all because they are first in the league, even if they are only one point ahead of Napoli, who along with Atalanta and now Juve are difficult competitors.

“Also because they are favourites in the Coppa Italia, despite the dangers of the dervyv in the double semi-final. Finally, because they are showing impressive consistency in the Champions League, they don’t skip a beat.”

GETAFE, SPAIN – FEBRUARY 11: Rafa Benitez, Head Coach of Celta Vigo, looks on prior to kick-off ahead of the LaLiga EA Sports match between Getafe CF and Celta Vigo at Coliseum Alfonso Perez on February 11, 2024 in Getafe, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Benitez has also spotted two specific signs which he believes are massively encouraging for Inzaghi.

“Thr first, they never manage to concede goals,” Benitez explained. “They practically never put their opponents in a position to shoot on goal. Only one goal conceded (in the Champions League) is a testament to the strength of the group.

“The second, even without Dimarco, Cahlanoglu and Mkhitaryan, the performance levels do not drop and the personality remains very high. The fear that absences could affect performances were swept away by the result and the way it was obtained.”

Benitez also believes that the strength of Inter’s strikers are an additional bonus, joking that: “If you have Thuram and Lautaro, it’s like starting from 1-0, sometimes 2-0.”