Valencia coach throws down the gauntlet

VALENCIA coach Rafa Benitez was scathingly critical of some of his players last night, on the eve of their Champions League quarter-final second leg against Inter Milan.

“There are some people in the squad who are not trying, and they have infected the rest,” a fuming Benitez, who threatened to leave the club or force a players’ clear-out, said.

After losing 1-0 at struggling Valladolid on Saturday, the reigning champions dropped out of the top four, losing an automatic place in Europe’s showcase event.