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Re: The Official Liverpool thread 2007/08
Here's an interview from just before the Champions League final.
Interesting to see the answers Rafa gives when interviewed by a Spanish journo, rather than just an English hack. I think you get a better feel for him and what he really thinks.
CAYETANO ROS - Valencia - 22/05/2007
Rafa Benitez (Madrid, 1960) knows too well what to play in a final means. He has won 5 out of 6, and he knows that to prepare it well, he shouldn’t lock his players in their hotel rooms. Last week at 2 in the afternoon, the rude ?! Liverpool boys were jumping like kids in the waters of the La Manga sea to the surprised look of an Italian female journalist. Those joyful activities would not be allowed by the Milan Lab guardians. In his seventh final Milan are awaiting tomorrow in Athens.
Have you seen the ghost of Bill Shankly?
I see his statue every day, and that everyone whorships him. There are many stories about him. I don’t know if all of them are true but certainly there are a few very interesting ones.
And the Boot Room is a lounge where we chat with the rival manager at the end of the game. Bob Paisley, Shankly and Kenny Dalglish were the stick yard in their time. We have achieved a few things but we are not at the same level.
What does involve to be “The Boss” at Anfield?
Well, they call me Raffa the Gaffa, which means The boss. It is not as big as people think. I don’t have an amount of cash that I can spend anyway I like. First I need to sit down with the Chief Executive and talk about money. I have a little bit more power than in Spain, but when it comes to signing players the process is similar.
You have been criticised for some of your signings: Josemi, Nunez….
People don’t know. They are not bad players. Nunez didn’t cost any money, and Josemi was cheap and we needed him. But England is very difficult. Morientes is a great player and found it really hard. The Premiership is faster and more physical. And then you have the language problem. People say “Football is an universal language”. That’s not true. When you need to ask for the ball, organize the defense, leave the ball for another teammate, you need to talk and that basic language is needed. Some find it harder.
Football is a very passionate activity. How do you communicate?
In English. I tried from the very beginning but I still find it hard, especially went talking to people with Liverpool accent. It is like if you knew little Spanish and you went to Cadiz.
And do you tell people off in English?
I am more the type of analysing things, but I had to tell someone off a few times. In the end you make yourself understood with your body languge.
Was the club too old fashioned when you arrived?
Liverpool are more of a familiar club, with English tradition. Before I arrived they had a French manager for 5 years who changed some things. We are trying to change habits and personnel to become more professional.
The best of English football?
Passion and respect. Last year there were better match attendances in spite of more televised matches. When you achieve something people value it for life.
The return leg of the semifinal against Chelsea thrilled some and left others indifferent.
It was a very good game in terms of drama and tactics. The atmosphere was unbelievable and that contributed to the match itself.
What is it to play well?
You can play well in different manners: playing long balls, short balls, dribbling or winning the ball in the air. The important thing is to know what to do in every moment and doing it well. In England, when your center backs have the ball if they want to play the ball on the deck you get killed, cause the opposition are marking tightly your fullbacks, your centerbacks and your midfielders. That’s why you see so much direct football. And then you have the referees allowing a lot of contact. I always tell the Spanish players not to run with the ball cause you get caught and have a dangerous counterattack against you.
Do your teams play poor football?
With the amount of trophies we have won, the goals we have scored and the good games we have played, to say so is not to know the truth.
Where is football going?
It is getting faster and that means you need more quality and intelligence. A few years ago players had 2 seconds to make a decission. Then 1 and half, then 1, and there situations when players will have tenths of a second to make decisions. And quality doesn’t mean to be more technically gifted with the ball, but to apply those technical skills making the right decisions. It is becoming more and more important to find intelligent players with quality.
Do you put shackles on creativity?
The point is to know how many footballers are good enough to get that total freedom that some people are demanding, and that in my opinion it's demagogy. We have been talking for years about Gerrard’s position, and when he played on the right with freedom he scored 23 goals. Some people say “You are limiting the player using him on the right”. People don’t have a clue.
It is something to behold how willingly Gerrard gets back to help in defensive duties
That’s the English mentality of hard work. He has to improve in other aspects, but his quality and athleticism is very important for us.
Has Xabi Alonso stagnated?
It is very difficult to keep those high standards in the Premiership. Every game is very demanding. If you play more than 60 games it is not easy.
Is this Liverpool team stronger than the one who won in Istambul?
Yes, it is better balanced and more resourceful. But Milan are more solid now in midfield and they are well structured. Before they had more attacking power.
Gatusso says that Liverpool play too many long balls?
I don’t think he watches many Liverpool games, the same way I don’t watch many Milan games.
Has there been another team as strong as Milan’s Sacchi when it comes to putting pressure on the ball?
No. I have seen some very good Maturana teams. I remember a game Valladolid Nacional de Medellin and it was unbeliveble. The two teams were in an area of 30 meters and there was no way to get in behind. To get close to Sacchi’s Milan is difficult because of two reasons: they were tactically very good and they had great players. We are far from that.
Isn’t it bad to have a game planned beforehand?
People who haven’t gone to university label the ones who have as too much of a theory person. The problem is that some coaches don’t know how to study games and they criticize the ones who do. Many coaches are able to prepare games well. The critical aspect is being able to find solutions during games.
Are you a good strategist?
As a team we are. I talk a lot to my assistants.
Do you find it hard to coach world class players?
What about Gerrard, Carragher and Xabi Alonso?. Then you have to see if they are good professionals and they are not anarchic. Anarchy can only be given to the very best ones.
How do you prepare a final?
Looking at the strengths of my team. We do this well and they do this badly. Do the two meet? Do we need to change something to hurt them?
How do you control pressure?
Trying to find out how things are going to develop. That eliminates anxiety and you will be able to adjust better.
Pellegrino used to say that obsession is good for work but bad for the rest of your life.
That’s true. Some of us are too much obsessed and that makes it difficult in your private life.
How important is Montse in your career?
She is very important to me. Se always tells me to follow my instincts as they tend to be right many times.
What are your interests outside of football?
My family. I try to stay near my daughter for two reasons: one because we get on very well, and two because she can teach me new words. My English needs improving.
Can you afford to go to the pub and have a beer?
No. People are very respectful, but I was once in Germany, in Leverkusen, and we went to a pub to watch the Chelsea Barcelona game and they almost killed me. It was tremendous. It is nice that they spot you and salute you, but then you lose intimacy.
Any young talent that you would love to sign?
We have signed Lucas Leiva.
The Spanish NT?
Yes, I’d love it in the future, at a certain age.
The best player you have ever coached?
I had Raul, Urzaiz, Dani, Marcos, Gerrard, Carra, Xabi. Everyone in their position could be the best (he has coached).
And your frustration for not being a footballer?
I had been a footballer all my life until I got injured and had to go in another direction. I was lucky to go to University and be ready to do something else when I had to retire from football. Then I started to coach, and the same way I love to win at chess, stratego or playing cards I love to win at football, and I fully commit myself to the task.
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The Official Liverpool thread 2007/08
