Thank you! Thank you Yossi for that goal! As Liverpool fans we have not had much to smile about over the last couple of weeks but last night must have bought a smile back onto our faces. Going into the match I was not too confident especially with all the speculation that Rafa was about to quit. But when the game started last night and we had played for a couple of minutes, I thought to myself, “There is nothing special about this Madrid team!” Real had gone on a 9 match winning run but that all came to an end yesterday thanks to a late header by Yossi Benayoun courtesy of a brilliant freekick by Aurelio.
I had thought Real were going to come out all guns blazing and put us under pressure but for 90 minutes we were the better team as Real offered nothing going forward and their defence looked very suspect whenever we went forward. As the game progressed I was actually thinking that 0-0 would be a bad result for us as Real were clearly there for the taking.
The injury to Torres early on did not help much. After he twisted his ankle he just did not look the same. I just hope that the injury is not too bad. Yet again it just went to show that we can actually play well and win when Stevie is not playing. I was a bit surprised that Rafa threw him on with minutes to go as he could have risked him picking up another knock especially since the game was virtually in the bag by then.
I know it is only half time in the tie but we must surely be favourites now having gotten that crucial away goal. Real have no choice but to come out and attack us at Anfield in two weeks time and judging by their defence last night, we can certainly get a goal or two against them at Anfield.
Well Done you Reds! I dedicate this win to Rafa! “Rafa-Rafael! Rafa-Rafael! Rafa-Rafael! Rafael Benitez!!”
I’ve just written my version of the match and would appreciate if you drop by and give us your opinion a well.
http://mundoalbiceleste.blogspot.com/2009/02/javier-liverpools-man-of-masche.html
Overall, it was a well balanced match which could have gone either way. In the end, Rafa (as always) knows how to get it right in Europe. I was more focused on the intense battle in central midfield between Javier Mascherano and Fernando Gago.
My choice for the MOTM, it has be Javier Mascherano.
A have to agree with everything said – what a night. Another famous result from Rafa’s men. Hopefully this result will get Rafa the contract he wants and deserves. He is 100% when he says that stability in the club is the only way forward.
Can’t wait for the return leg now and I am fully confident that we can progress. In fact I can see all 4 EPL teams is the last 8 again. Stick that in yer pipe and smoke it Blatter and Platini and the EPL is back again !!!
One concern however is the injury to Torres. He was known as being a strong lad who could take knocks but he is getting as bad as Robin Van Porcelain. I don’t think we are going to see the best of him this season which is a big blow.
On a totally different point. We keep getting told that the English international team is crap becuase there are too many foreign players within the top teams. Please note that there was 1 Italian playing for Inter and Italy are World Champs and Liverpool had more Spaniards playing than Real had and Spain are the Euro Champs. I think its time for the English FA to wake up and smell the coffee and admit that at the minute England just aint good enough to win anything – FACT !!!