Inter went down 2-1 in Verona with the pressure increasing further on Benitez after another indifferent display.

Eto'o hardly covered himself in glory either after thrusting his head into Cesar's chest in retaliation to a sly punch from the centre-back seven minutes before half-time.

But former Liverpool and Valencia boss Benitez believes no retrospective action should be taken.

He said: "You can see Eto'o received a punch and had a reaction to being provoked, in a difficult situation.

"There are four referees on the pitch and if they didn't think to do anything, it means there was nothing to do."

Benitez was largely satisfied with Inter's display although their only reward was a late Eto'o strike which proved to be a mere consolation after efforts from Sergio Pellisier and Davide Moscardelli had given Chievo a two-goal lead.

"Clearly after a defeat nobody is happy, but the players worked hard and had the right reaction in the second half, they showed everything a team with character should show," he added on www.inter.it.

"Unfortunately we missed a couple of good chances, but as far as effort and attitude are concerned the team was there. The team demonstrated character and had we scored it would have changed everything."

The Spaniard confirmed he would meet with club officials after the game but insisted it was routine.

"It will be like always, we talk after every game, with (technical director Marco) Branca, with (sporting director Piero) Ausilio, with (Benitez's consultant Amedeo) Carboni," he said.

"It's obvious that a team like ours should be winning these sort of games, but the boys displayed character.

"I am a professional coach and have been in these types of situation: the only way to change it, though, is to continue working and today I saw the will to win in our players.

"What we are living is a difficult situation, of a team which has won a lot, but also where a lot of players are missing, which is the reason why we are forced to field so many young players."

The defeat left Inter nine points adrift of leaders AC Milan after 13 rounds.