Paul Eaton 30 April 2008
Rafael Benitez is confident his Liverpool side will overcome the odds and reach an eighth European Cup final with victory at Stamford Bridge this evening.
Chelsea may kick-off tonight's semi-final সেকেন্ড leg as favourites to progress after John Arne Riise's late own goal last week, but Benitez believes his players are in the mood to set up a final তারিখ with Manchester United in Moscow on May 21.
"They know they can go out and make history," ব্যক্ত Benitez. "They can যোগদান an elite group which has got to three Champions League finals and go to another level দ্বারা getting there.
"They all know that. I can see in their eyes that they are winners, they have confidence.
"The majority of the players know what it means to get to a final. But for some of the players who were in Istanbul and Athens, it is even আরো important.
"The players know how important it is to be in a final, and how massive this game is. I don't need to say too much. They are really focused.
"Mentally, physically and technically, we are in a good moment. The players will be ready."
A Liverpool victory অথবা a high scoring draw will see the Reds through to Moscow and a third final in four years, while a 1-1 draw after extra time tonight will mean the tie will be decided on penalties.
"The plan is easy. We need to score. After this, if we win, it will be better," added the manager. "If we draw, we know that Pepe is good on penalties.
"We need to play compact as a team, as a unit and try to attack all together and defend all together. It's not a special plan অথবা idea, it's very simple.
"It will not be a fantastic achievement just to score there. But to win, yes, that will rank highly in my career and the players'.
"Everybody knows the history of the club and the last three years how important these games have been and the results. We have enough confidence and we don't need to talk too much now.
"They need to attack and we need to attack so in the end it could be an open game."
Rafael Benitez is confident his Liverpool side will overcome the odds and reach an eighth European Cup final with victory at Stamford Bridge this evening.
Chelsea may kick-off tonight's semi-final সেকেন্ড leg as favourites to progress after John Arne Riise's late own goal last week, but Benitez believes his players are in the mood to set up a final তারিখ with Manchester United in Moscow on May 21.
"They know they can go out and make history," ব্যক্ত Benitez. "They can যোগদান an elite group which has got to three Champions League finals and go to another level দ্বারা getting there.
"They all know that. I can see in their eyes that they are winners, they have confidence.
"The majority of the players know what it means to get to a final. But for some of the players who were in Istanbul and Athens, it is even আরো important.
"The players know how important it is to be in a final, and how massive this game is. I don't need to say too much. They are really focused.
"Mentally, physically and technically, we are in a good moment. The players will be ready."
A Liverpool victory অথবা a high scoring draw will see the Reds through to Moscow and a third final in four years, while a 1-1 draw after extra time tonight will mean the tie will be decided on penalties.
"The plan is easy. We need to score. After this, if we win, it will be better," added the manager. "If we draw, we know that Pepe is good on penalties.
"We need to play compact as a team, as a unit and try to attack all together and defend all together. It's not a special plan অথবা idea, it's very simple.
"It will not be a fantastic achievement just to score there. But to win, yes, that will rank highly in my career and the players'.
"Everybody knows the history of the club and the last three years how important these games have been and the results. We have enough confidence and we don't need to talk too much now.
"They need to attack and we need to attack so in the end it could be an open game."
