Here's what the Inter coach had to say ahead of his team's trip to Monte Carlo for the UEFA Super Cup against Atletico Madrid:

Good evening to Rafa Benitez. The last time we had a chat with you, you told us 'I hope to win'. What can you tell us now that you have won? 

"I say that 'we won', all together, because a coach never wins by himself. He wins with the players, the club and the fans. We all win together."

Michele from Pistoia wrote in telling us that he likes the team with the defence playing higher up the pitch and Eto'o with more freedom up front. In this way will it be hard for your opponents?


"I agree, but there's still a lot of work to do because it's not easy to play with a higher defence. It can also be risky. I like scoring goals but if we can be stronger in defence we have to do it."

The fans are asking us if Coutinho is ready to play for the first team. They also ask you to take into account the youngsters for the future, because we have a team of adult players.


"Yes, he's ready. I thought that if he had come on the other evening he would have made a positive contribution to the game, but then we scored two goals and I thought it would be better to control the game because we were all a bit tired. But yes, he can play, although maybe not from the start. And I agree that the team needs young players who can gain experience so they are ready when needed."



Tiziano asks: boss, you work for Inter, but will you also become an Interista?
"I obviously work for Inter and I am very happy to do so. I hope to stay here and represent these colours for a long time, and if this happens it means that we will have won a lot."



Luigi from Genoa tells us that you faced Atletico last year and that unfortunately things didn't go well, but you only lost because of a dubious goal in extra time. What do you think of the Atletico side? 

"I remember that match. It was a difficult one. The team now is more or less the same team as that one, but now there's Felipe Luis at left-back and Godin at centre-back. They are a counter-attacking team, Forlan is always dangerous and Aguero is always quick and ready to get past the defender. Tactically they work very well as a team and they are very fast, so it will be difficult. They can be very dangerous in a one-off match."



What are the differences between Atletico and the other two clubs in Madrid: Real Madrid and Rayo Vallecano? 

"Real Madrid can be very strong for an entire season but in a one-off match, so are Atletico. And Real have spent lots of money in these years. The Atletico fans are very nice and I have often said that they are very similar to the Liverpool fans. They are people like the fans of Inter who always get behind their team."

Laura welcomes you to the most difficult and competitive league in the world. After the Spanish and English leagues, is the Italian one the most difficult? José Mourinho has said his piece, whereas Roberto Mancini has never said anything. What do you think?
"First of all, I'm surprised that Mourinho spoke, because he doesn't usually speak, right? He doesn't speak about anything. This is a strong team, and it was also a strong team when he arrived. It's always more or less the same, we always talk about who wins: the players and the club. He's not here now, but if everything was perfect, why isn't he here? Because he chose to go to another team, and it was his decision. Instead, I am here and I am very happy. The team is a good team and the club is strong, the fans follow the team, the players and the coach. I am very happy and I don't like talking a lot. He talks, but he is on the outside. It's better for us just to concentrate on our work."

Salvatore asks us if playing with a higher defence is dangerous against teams who try to beat the offside trap. And he says that Inter played better in the second half against Roma.
"It's true that it can be more dangerous but at the same time we can press forward more and the quality players can stay closer to the area. And it's also true that the players did better against Roma in the second half. They showed their character."

What do you think of Inter's academy and what are your plans for interacting with it?
"I was talking to the president about this the other day. We were talking about the future of the club, the youngsters, and he is very happy to work with them and invest in them. We have an advantage because Daniele Bernazzani worked with the Primavera and Beppe Baresi with the academy, with whom we have a good relationship and good communication. The first team obviously comes first, but we will aim to work with them more and more."

One fan tells us that you seem a very calm man when you speak.
"It's true, I am the calm type. I like analysing things. I am satisfied here because I can improve myself and I can improve the team as well."



Paolo from Roma wants to know what you think of Busacca, who referee Friday's match against Atletico.


"I don't think we should talk about the referee. It's very difficult for them. We have problems refereeing a practice match, so imagine what it's like for them."



Filippo from Dalmine asks us what you think of the Inter fans, and if you were struck by what happened against Roma when the Giallorossi fans caused the game to be interrupted for several minutes.


"I think that us coaches have a responsibility: our message should always be respect because we have to support our team and always have respect for the other one. Sometimes it's not easy, but it's the same for me. If I can, I respect the other club and the other coach, but at the same time I want to feel the support of our fans. There are also many children who watch football so it's important for us to give a message of responsibility."



Erminio tells us that he has been an Inter fan since the Thirties. He has admired you ever since you were at Valencia, and is happy that you are coach of Inter now.


"I hope to do well for him, for us, for Inter. I will do everything I can to do well."



Augusta asks if you feel you can promise to stay at Inter for many years like Alex Ferguson at Manchester United. And if it is true that you want to win more than Mourinho and Mancini.

"Yes, I would like to stay here for many years, but if I stayed here for as long as Ferguson I would be more or less seventy-five years old, so I would have to come to training sessions with a walking stick... I said that I want to keep winning, without saying more than one person or another. I don't make comparisons."



Wesley Sneijder told us yesterday that he wants to end his career here.


"Quality players who have won here are happy to stay for many years. We have seen the same with Zanetti."



Gibo from Mantova tells us that it was great to see Benitez giving tactical indications on Saturday evening.


"Yes, but it wasn't easy to make myself heard, so I said things to Cambiasso, who in the centre of midfield had everyone closer to him so it was easier. And with him I could speak in Spanish, which made things quicker and easier."

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