[球隊] Benfica sense 'great opportunity'
http://www.uefa.com/competitions/UCL/FixturesResults/Round=2202/match=1102855/
Benfica sense 'great opportunity'
SL Benfica are welcoming the distraction of UEFA Champions League football
again and a first knockout round meeting with holders Liverpool FC at the
Estadio da Luz after a run of poor domestic results.
'Great opportunity'
The Portuguese title-holders have lost three of their last four Liga matches
and coach Ronald Koeman is looking forward to the Liverpool challenge. "It
will be good to play in a different competition," said the Dutchman. "We can
leave behind the results we have been having. It is a great opportunity to
show we have quality against the champions of Europe."
'Aggressive midfield'
Koeman guided Benfica to a 2-1 win against Manchester United FC on Matchday
6 but expects a sterner challenge from their English rivals. He added:
"Beating Liverpool is more complicated than defeating Manchester United. They
are much more aggressive in midfield. They have a mixture of Spanish and
English qualities and play a 4-4-2 system in which the four defenders and
midfielders work a lot so they have eight players trying to keep the ball or
win it when they've lost it. Manchester United may have more individual
quality but the Liverpool team at the moment is much stronger."
Defensive strength
A European champion with FC Barcelona in 1992, Koeman is aware that Liverpool
conceded only one goal in the group stage and have not been breached in their
last three matches, but sees a glimmer of hope. He said: "I'm not worried
about their defensive record but I respect that and that is the way they
play. They have defended very well in their last two matches: Arsenal [FC]
and Manchester United did not have a clear chance. But I also watched them
one day, against Luton [Town FC] in the FA Cup, and they conceded three
goals. So tomorrow they might have another bad day."
'Very motivated'
Koeman must plan without the injured Fabrizio Miccoli and Geovanni and
hinted that Laurent Robert, who had a great scoring record against Liverpool
during his time in English football, may start. "He is fit to play and he
will be very motivated tomorrow and that will be important for us," said the
coach. Another player with a point to prove is Portuguese international
winger Simao, who almost joined Liverpool last summer. Koeman noted: "He has
a reason to demonstrate why they were interested. The team is very motivated
but sometimes you need something extra from outside."
'Respect'
Having defeated Arsenal on St Valentine's Day, Liverpool received a further
boost at the weekend as they won an FA Cup tie against Manchester United for
the first time since 1921. Manager Rafael Benitez said of those 1-0 victories:
"We have played two good games and we have a lot of confidence but also a lot
of respect. When people talk of confidence, people think of complacency. We
have no time for complacency. We have to have respect for the opposition."
Alonso fit
Speaking of Benfica's recent travails, the Spaniard went on: "This is a
different competition. This is the Champions League. They know how important
this is, so it will be a very difficult game for both teams. With a full
stadium, it will easy for them to be motivated." Benitez then praised Benfica,
remarking that their centre-backs are both "good in the air" and also
singling out Alcides and Petit as key figures, adding that "we cannot think
just of Simao". He revealed too that Xabi Alonso was fit to play and suggested
that Robbie Fowler, who last appeared in the competition in 2001, could start
on the bench.
啊～為什麼，要把本菲卡和利物浦湊在一起……（哭著跑開）
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