Benitez better than Mourinho: Eto'o

Sep 30, 2010 1:26 PM | By Sapa-AFP

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Inter Milan boss Rafael Benitez is better for strikers than his predecessor Jose Mourinho, according to nerazzurri forward Samuel Eto’o.

Inter Milan's Samuel Eto'o celebrates after scoring his third goal against Werder Bremen during their Champions League Group A match at the San Siro stadium in Milan September 29, 2010.
Photograph by: ALESSANDRO GAROFALO
Credit: REUTERS

The Cameroon captain scored a hat-trick in Wednesday’s 4-0 Champions League victory over Werder Bremen to take his tally to a remarkable 11 goals in nine games this season.

It was also the first game in this campaign that he was played through the middle in Benitez’s attacking triumvirate and Eto’o reaped the benefits.

He played there due to an injury to Diego Milito and Eto’o is hoping to get more run-outs through the middle.

“With Mourinho we played on the counter-attack, with Benitez we press more and that’s better for us forwards because we win back the ball higher up the pitch and create more chances,” he told Sky Sport.

“I feel good as a central striker. For a forward it’s important to play close to the goal and not far from it. It’s more complicated for me when playing on the wings.”

Eto’o has had a stunning start to the season, scoring five goals in five league games, four in two Champions League matches as well as bagging a brace in the Italian Supercup, although he failed to hit the net in the European Supercup.

Inter sit joint top of Serie A with Lazio and now top their Champions League group A ahead of Tottenham, whom they play next, on goal difference.