Benitez calls on the spirit of Istanbul

May 23 2007 Ian Doyle in Athens, Liverpool Daily Post

RAFAEL BENITEZ has urged his Liverpool players to make themselves heroes as they aim to repeat history in Athens tonight.

The Anfield side take on AC Milan in the Olympic Stadium looking to move alongside the Italians in the all-time list of European Cup winners by lifting the trophy for a sixth time.

The two clubs met in the Champions League final two years ago, when Liverpool fought back from 3-0 down at half-time before winning on penalties.

And Benitez believes the indefatigable spirit shown by his players during that heroic comeback can propel them to another famous victory over Milan.

“The players do not want to come back from Athens upset and with regrets that we have not brought the cup home,” said the Liverpool manager.

“We want to make history, be heroes and come home winners. To win one final was absolutely magnificent, to do it twice could be really special.

“The expectation level is exactly the same as 2005. The same prize is there. As a player, you have to cope with that.

“We have been doing our job, now we have to enjoy the final and do the right things. We need to do all the things we have done by getting here.

“If we do the right things, we can win and it will be perfect. If we cannot win then we have to leave the field having tried our best and with no regrets.

“It’s important to remind the players that we are here because we have done the right things. We need to be confident and be calm.

“We have some key players such as Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher, who are very good players, but we have a very good, together squad. The key for me is that team spirit rather than one player in our team.

“I have a similar feeling to two years ago. We were excited then and preparing the small details and it’s the same situation now.”

While Benitez doesn’t expect a repeat of the scoreline in Istanbul, he is confident of a similar outcome.

And although Paolo Maldini netted in the opening minute for Milan two years ago, the Spaniard acknowledges the first goal could prove pivotal this evening.

“It will be tough,” said Benitez. “The final two years ago was amazing and was the best final in the history of this competition.

“But I don’t think we will see a game like that. If you ask me, I don’t think we will see a lot of goals, although I would be happy if the outcome was the same as last time.

“But if it is the same as two years ago, I will need a doctor!

“We know 2005 was a special game but the plan this time will be not to concede any goals and certainly not concede in the first minute.

“The team that scores first will have a real advantage.”

Liverpool will be competing in their seventh European Cup final this evening - as many as the rest of England’s teams put together - with victory meaning only Real Madrid, with nine triumphs, would have won the trophy more times.

The Anfield side finished 21 points behind Premiership champions Manchester United this season but will hope to succeed where the Old Trafford side failed by beating Milan.

And Benitez, who will break up his squad this summer no matter what the score this evening, concedes his players enjoy playing in the Champions League more than the Premiership.

“It’s not easy to get to a final so for us to play two Champions League finals in three years is a massive achievement for us and one of which we must be really proud,” he said. “We have another opportunity now and we want to win.

“The key is good players, good staff and good workers. Everyone in the club works hard and if you have good players and staff then you can do it, it’s not easy though.

“The players like to play in Europe and that’s a difference maybe.”

Of tonight’s opponents, Benitez added: “Milan have experience and quality and I think they will be very well physically prepared. They have good players and are tactically strong.

“We will try play as we normally and I’m sure Milan will try to do as they do normally.

“If they do what they did against United then we will need to work harder to try and control the game.”

* TONIGHT’S officials are from Germany, with Herbert Fandel the match referee.

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