Chelsea v Liverpool: Rafa Benitez warns ref about Didier Drogba antics

Apr 30 2008 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post

RAFAEL BENITEZ has warned Champions League referee Roberto Rosetti not to be conned by Didier Drogba this evening.

The Italian official takes charge of the decisive semi-final second leg between Chelsea and Liverpool with the fallout still raging from last week’s first match.

Anfield manager Benitez was unhappy with what he deemed was play-acting by Drogba during the 1-1 draw.

And with centre-back Jamie Carragher and skipper Steven Gerrard one booking away from being suspended for a possible final, Benitez has urged referee Rosetti not to be duped by the Chelsea striker.

“Carra has experience so maybe he will not be in front of Drogba,” said Benitez. “But I don’t think it will be a question of players being targeted.

“They could target Gerrard, for example, but I think all the players must think about is to win the game. They will want to win rather than make sure other players could be out of the final.

“I will not talk about how the referee could be. I think he is a good referee with a good level in Italy and international games.

“I hope the Italian referee, who has experience in Europe, will know what is going on and will be strong.”

Chelsea manager Avram Grant countered Benitez’s earlier comments on Drogba by claiming the Ivorian had not been given enough protection in the first leg.

But Benitez responded: “I don’t agree. It was clear. Watching a lot of games, everybody can have the same conclusion and same idea.

“Everybody knows what he’s like just by watching the games. Drogba is a fantastic player but he falls down too easily.

“We will try to do our best as always. The centre-backs did a very good job the other day and hopefully they will do the same.”

Benitez was unhappy with the performance of referee Konrad Plautz during the first game.

And of tonight’s referee Rosetti, who officiated Liverpool’s 4-1 Anfield win over Porto in the group stage, Benitez added: “This referee has had six games in Europe this season, five times the home team has won and the other was when Chelsea won in Valencia. Maybe that is curious.

“The referee has experience, he is certainly not a bad referee. If he is strong at Stamford Bridge then things will be okay.

“The referee in the first leg was not good in virtually every decision but hopefully it will be different now.”

Despite both Carragher and Gerrard walking a disciplinary tightrope, Benitez does not want the duo to change their style this evening.

“I know that Carragher and Gerrard could miss the final if they are booked, but the first thing for us is to progress,” said the Spaniard.

“If you do not tackle because you fear you will miss the final, that is wrong.

“They know they need to play a normal game.

“It is not easy for them but they have experience and they know we have to get to the final.

“They have control and they know their tackles must be good – but they also know we need to be in the final.”

Chelsea captain John Terry is also one booking away from a suspension.