Inter Milan coach Rafael Benitez said Tuesday he had not expected "so many problems" to tackle in his first few weeks after succeeding Jose Mourinho, the man who led the club to a treble last season.

Speaking ahead of Wednesday's encounter with Lecce, former Liverpool boss Benitez said: "No, I did not expect as many problems on the part of a team which had just come offaseason where it won everything.

"The players are working well, but there are also difficulties."

Inter are coming off a Champions League loss at Tottenham and a disappointing home draw with modest Brescia.

Those results came in the absence of a raft of injured players such as Brazilian keeper Julio Cesar, defensive compatriot Maicon, Argentine defender Walter Samuel - who will be out for six months - as well as midfielders Thiago Motta, Esteban Cambiasso andWesley Sneijder.

Inter are now three points adrift of Serie A leaders Lazio and one point behind city rivals AC Milan as they bid to retain their domestic crown.

"We must work to get into the best position possible in January and we will see what we can do in January in the transfer window,” said Benitez.

"We will have to do something after Walter’s injury - he is an important player. ”

Benitez refused to be drawn on the additional significance of Sunday's Milan derby.

"The most important match is always the next one. We must defeat Lecce, then we will think about the derby."