Rafas interview on e-season ticket

[madaboutlfc]

1. Rafa, you've had some time to reflect on both the performance and the result, how are you feeling today?

 

I have been watching the video atleast the first half and interms of compromise and work of the player Im really happy.. in terms of scoring goals you need to score and it was important dont concede. we conceded and couldnt score.

 

2. The looks on the players faces as they left the pitch at the end spoke volumes. Can you describe the mood in the dressing room after the final whistle?

 

We were really disappointed. We kept going forward as you couldnt change anything after the game. The responsibility is to keep going forward.

 

3. Even in defeat, the Liverpool supporters emerged winners on the night. How did you feel as the fans chanted your name, sang You'll Never Walk Alone and applauded the Benfica players off the pitch?

 

For me that was the most positive news. Its amazing to see supporters sing of a team which is out of the Champions League .

 

4. You spoke before the game about how you had confidence that your team could score the two or three goals required to qualify. In the end, they couldn't score one. Do you feel let down by your players?

 

I said before we are all disappointed. We created chances and more chances after conceding and creat a lot in the first half. If you dont score the first theres always more pressure

 

5. Liverpool had three clear chances to score during the opening 30 minutes and many fans believe the missed chances proved more costly than the mistake at the back which led to Benfica's goal. How do you see it?

 

I hope to see the team scoring goals soon, starting this weekend. We are creating chances

 

6. Against both Charlton and Benfica, the post-match talk has centred around chances missed. When does bad luck in front of goal become poor finishing from the players paid to score the goals?

 

Maybe its a problem of luck but we need to keep going

 

7. The game has gone now but looking back with hindsight, is there anything you would have changed about your team selection, tactics or substitutions?

 

Before the game we had a problem with the squad and with Hyypias injury. We conceded and didnt score the first goal and had to change the tactics going with 3 at the back.Im happy with the performance but not happy with the final result

 

8. Immediately after the game you spoke about lifting the players for the game against Arsenal. Has this weekend's game taken on new significance?

 

It is really important for us to do well in the remaining 2 competitions. We are 11 points ahead and we have to get a result.

 

9. Fans will be looking for a reaction from this defeat on Sunday. How difficult will it be to lift the players?

 

They know how important the game and after a defeat its a bad moment but we will be up for the Arsenal game.

 

10. The European dream may be over for this season but do you think there's still an opportunity to make a success of this season?

 

11. And finally, after going out of the tournament on Tuesday, Jose Mourinho claimed he wanted Benfica to go on a lift the European Cup. Who would you like to see triumph in Paris?

No. I hope the team which plays the best wins.

[Coyler]

11. And finally, after going out of the tournament on Tuesday, Jose Mourinho claimed he wanted Benfica to go on a lift the European Cup. Who would you like to see triumph in Paris?

No. I hope the team which plays the best wins.

Ahahahahahaha!

[madaboutlfc]

"We must improve and to do that we need to continue to work hard and sign more good players. Every big club always needs to be on the lookout for new players so this is no reaction to last night, it's normal.

 

"I have a contract here and I want to see us improve this year and in the future. Unfortunately, the prospect of generating extra income from a run in the Champions League is no longer a possibility so we must work with what we've got.

 

"Rick Parry and the board are working hard to find solutions and I am working closely with our scouting department. We all want to progress and already we have signed Paletta and Gonzalez to help us achieve this.

link

[Stevie H]

he must be banging his head against the f***ing wall at our inability to put the ball in the f***ing net.

[AE]

he must be banging his head against the f***ing wall at our inability to put the ball in the f***ing net.

 

I reckon we will see the consequences of that in the summer.

There WILL be a cull.

[Flip Martian]

I reckon we will see the consequences of that in the summer.

There WILL be a cull.

 

Well I would say culling was a bit excessive. Sell them yes, kill them, no...

[Guest Aussie_Red]

he must be banging his head against the f***ing wall at our inability to put the ball in the f***ing net.

 

Yes but really he has brought it on himself. I'm doubting that Peter Crouch was a good signing. He then proceeds to loan off Sinama Pongolle and Neil Mellor. Two players who saved our hides last season in the Champions League. If either of these two players played you could bet they would've done better than Crouch or Mori this season. So once again Benitez gives a start to the dire striking pair of Crouch and Morientes and doesn't bring Cisse or Fowler on until way too late into the game.

 

And surprise, surprise, once again he insists on putting Cisse on the wing, when Cisse is a very ordinary winger. Just put him in front of goal for more than 10 minutes! He can hardly do worse than Morientes or Crouch. You wouldn't expect Morientes to do anything on the wing, so why does Cisse have to be there? He cleary can't take on players or cross consistently. What is the point of putting him there and having Garcia up front?

 

Benitez is clever but he makes some very basic mistakes. If we need at least two goals, with the probability of more, starting Morientes and Crouch isn't going to work! And I won't settle for the fact that he doesn't have enough money, he has a world class team that thousands of managers would beg for.

Edited March 9, 2006 by Aussie_Red

[IgPig]

Why is Cisse the answer all of a sudden.

 

Hes crap.

 

There's little or no more probability of goals with him in the team.

Edited March 9, 2006 by hamstrung

[Guest Aussie_Red]

There is a big difference between doing good in training and playing well in matches. When I played at most levels I was always a lot lot better in training than on the pitch. That was a very frustrating thing I can tell you. I don't have the ability to watch them train so I watch them when it counts.

 

I don't think Cisse could possibly do any worse than Morientes and Crouch have been doing. Playing these two strikers hardly gets us a goal a game and that is a disaster for a 3rd placed team (mind you we would be a comfortable 2nd if we didn't have this issue of goals). Cisse deserves a chance now, because I don't care how good or bad the others are doing in training when they aren't cutting the mustard when it counts.

[IgPig]

Cisse deserves a chance now, because I don't care how good or bad the others are doing in training when they aren't cutting the mustard when it counts.

 

 

Neither is Cisse who has had plenty of chances.

 

And with respect I am not sure your own ability to play better any training than in matches in any way disproves the point, that Rafa works with them every day and knows what he sees.

Edited March 10, 2006 by hamstrung