RAFA: LET'S BE REMEMBERED FOR 100 YEARS
Paul Eaton 20 May 2007
Rafa Benitez has challenged his players to write themselves into Anfield folklore by winning the European Cup for the sixth time on Wednesday evening.
Benitez will join Bob Paisley as the only Anfield boss to win domestic football's biggest prize on more than one occasion if his side can overcome the challenge of AC Milan in Athens.
And he is using the memory of Istanbul - when the Reds had to recover from a 3-0 deficit - to inspire the Reds to more glory this time around.
"If we win in Athens, people might remember this as a significant season in Liverpool's history, with the takeover and everything. If we win, people might still be talking about it in a hundred years.
"Six weeks ago it might have been us who were the favourites but now AC Milan have beaten Manchester United and maybe people think they are favourites.
"It doesn't matter, really. We still approach the game in the same way. They have a good team, we have a good team."
He added: "I still have my notes from Istanbul - not as a souvenir but because I will use them.
"It is important to remember things, so you can correct mistakes next time. You never know when you might be playing against the same team again.
"I will be using them again, for sure and probably making some fresh ones.
"Everybody always asks me about half-time. The one thing I can't forget is the atmosphere. The supporters were magnificent. Even at 3-0 down they were always behind us.
"We all have more experience now and I don't think it will be like last time.
"If they are harder to beat it will be because their players have more experience of winning European competitions and experience of winning the World Cup.
"They will use their experience in this game but it is also the same situation for us. We have more experience now than two years ago too. From my point of view, the two teams are in a similar situation."
Benitez is also hoping victory on Wednesday night will be the perfect springboard for his players to launch a Premiership challenge next season.
Benitez said: "We need to start well next season and if we are close to the top from the beginning I think we'll be contenders.
"I think we can improve mentally and also maybe bring in some new players. I will be looking for players with character.
"We need to improve away, especially. We had hard away games at the start of the season but when you are so far off the top it is difficult to focus on winning every game.
"That's maybe why we are better in the Champions League, where you just have to win one game.
"If the question is can we improve next season, I would answer yes. If the question is will we win the title, well that depends on the others. They will be spending money and trying to improve as well."
Paul Eaton 20 May 2007
Rafa Benitez has challenged his players to write themselves into Anfield folklore by winning the European Cup for the sixth time on Wednesday evening.
Benitez will join Bob Paisley as the only Anfield boss to win domestic football's biggest prize on more than one occasion if his side can overcome the challenge of AC Milan in Athens.
And he is using the memory of Istanbul - when the Reds had to recover from a 3-0 deficit - to inspire the Reds to more glory this time around.
"If we win in Athens, people might remember this as a significant season in Liverpool's history, with the takeover and everything. If we win, people might still be talking about it in a hundred years.
"Six weeks ago it might have been us who were the favourites but now AC Milan have beaten Manchester United and maybe people think they are favourites.
"It doesn't matter, really. We still approach the game in the same way. They have a good team, we have a good team."
He added: "I still have my notes from Istanbul - not as a souvenir but because I will use them.
"It is important to remember things, so you can correct mistakes next time. You never know when you might be playing against the same team again.
"I will be using them again, for sure and probably making some fresh ones.
"Everybody always asks me about half-time. The one thing I can't forget is the atmosphere. The supporters were magnificent. Even at 3-0 down they were always behind us.
"We all have more experience now and I don't think it will be like last time.
"If they are harder to beat it will be because their players have more experience of winning European competitions and experience of winning the World Cup.
"They will use their experience in this game but it is also the same situation for us. We have more experience now than two years ago too. From my point of view, the two teams are in a similar situation."
Benitez is also hoping victory on Wednesday night will be the perfect springboard for his players to launch a Premiership challenge next season.
Benitez said: "We need to start well next season and if we are close to the top from the beginning I think we'll be contenders.
"I think we can improve mentally and also maybe bring in some new players. I will be looking for players with character.
"We need to improve away, especially. We had hard away games at the start of the season but when you are so far off the top it is difficult to focus on winning every game.
"That's maybe why we are better in the Champions League, where you just have to win one game.
"If the question is can we improve next season, I would answer yes. If the question is will we win the title, well that depends on the others. They will be spending money and trying to improve as well."
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