New Inter Milan boss Rafael Benitez has received a boost ahead of the Serie A season after Argentine duo Javier Zanetti and Diego Milito agreed to extend their stay at the Giuseppe Meazza (Inter favourites and priced at evens to win the Serie A).
There were fears that Inter’s treble winning team may be broken up following Jose Mourinho’s decision to move on and become Real Madrid manager, but so far this has proved not to be the case.
Veteran defender Zanetti has now agreed a two year extension, keeping him at the club until June 2013, while Milito has agreed a 12 month extension and will stick with the Nerazzurri until June 2014.
Zanetti has been with Inter since 1995 and the 36-year-old could end his career with the Serie A giants after agreeing new terms.
Milito joined Inter last summer from Genoa and scored 30 goals in his first season. The Argentina international had been linked with a move to Real Madrid but has ended speculation surrounding his future by agreeing new terms with the Milan side.
He said: “I will always be grateful to a great club like Inter for choosing me, and to president (Massimo) Moratti for his faith in me.”
However, former Liverpool boss Benitez has largely struggled to secure his top targets this summer. The Spaniard is eager to be reunited with Liverpool star Javier Mascherano but the Anfield side have refused to budge on their asking price for the tough tackling midfielder and the two parties seem to have reached a stalemate as far as the deal is concerned.
Inter secured the Champions League, Serie A and Coppa Italia titles last season under the guidance of the Portuguese special one and there are high expectations ahead of the new season despite a change in manager.
Inter are the favourites to secure the Serie A title for a sixth successive time, although their 2005/06 title was awarded in the wake of the 2006 Calciopoli Scandal. Meanwhile, AC Milan, Juventus and Roma are all priced at 4/1 with totesport. The Italian league could be a four-horse race this season with the likes of Fiorentina (33/1), Napoli and Sampdoria (both 66/1) given little chance by pundits ahead of the start of the season.
Benitez could be on course for success in the Serie A but the Champions League will be a difficult title to defend. Spanish giants Barcelona (10/3f) and Real Madrid (4/1) are expected to dominate Europe’s top tournament this season, while Manchester United (15/2) and Chelsea (6/1) could also be in contention to take the top prize (Inter 12/1 to win the Champions League).
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