Marco Materazzi says Rafael Benitez formed a negative view of him because he reminded the former Internazionale manager of Jose Mourinho.
Speaking at the Overtime Festival at the Lauro Rossi Theater in Macerata, Materazzi reflected on his relationship with Benitez and the difficulties the Spaniard faced after replacing Mourinho at Internazionale.
Mourinho had guided the club to a treble before leaving, and Materazzi said Benitez struggled to establish the same connection with the dressing room.
“Mourinho always connected with everyone and would always pat you on the shoulder. You’d go through hell and high water for him,” Materazzi said, according to Cronachemaceratesi.it.
“Conversely, Benitez had a negative impression of me from the start because whenever he saw me, he thought of Mourinho.”
Materazzi also recalled an incident from Leonardo’s time in charge of Internazionale.
Before a derby, he advised Leonardo to leave Lucio out because the defender had already been booked and risked suspension for the following match against Milan. Lucio was suspended regardless, while Internazionale went on to lose the game.
The former Italy defender also spoke about the atmosphere at San Siro, comparing it with some of the other major stadiums where he played.
“I’ve played in many important stadiums, like Old Trafford in Manchester and the Bernabeu, but the feeling San Siro gives you is incomparable,” he said.
Materazzi added that both he and Mario Balotelli had been able to lift the stadium with a single moment of attacking play, and said Lautaro Martinez now has a similar influence.
“He got angry with the referee in the match against Napoli, which energized San Siro and sparked Internazionale’s comeback,” Materazzi said.
