on behalf of Rafa
Rafael Benitez is a very good manager ain't he?
I watched the Champions League match between Rafa's side and Chelsea last night and can't help admiring good ol' Rafa. Unlike Mourinho who did the talking for himself, Rafa let the numbers do the talking for him. OK, for all of you who aren't in the know, let me enlighten you; just 2 seasons ago Mr. Benitez was manager of Valencia. And he won the Spanish league title AND UEFA Cup with them. Then he left. What happened to Valencia? Nothing. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think Valencia didn't win anything the following season. They still have their stars; Aimar, Ayala, Angulo, Baraja, Mista, Canizares. But they fail to win things. Apparently, their best man have left for Liverpool: Rafael Benitez.
What did this guy do for Liverpool you ask me? with him at the helm, Liverpool won the Champions League. In his first season in charge. And in such a spectacular fashion that 'spectacular' is an understatement. If Manchester United's win against Bayern Munich in 1999 is described as the 'mother and father of all comebacks,' then Rafa must have invited both the paternal and maternal grandparents along with the aunts and uncles of comebacks for his side. A.C Milan scored 3 times and I, the sceptic, was heading to bed. I mean, Liverpool were playing against an Italian team. AN ITALIAN TEAM. Not only did the Italians know all the tricks in the book when it comes to defending, chances are, THEY are the ones who wrote the book. And Rafa's side actually allowed the Italians to score three times. Later, my roommate woke me up just before Xabi Alonso was about to take the penalty (yes, I did go to bed) that would level the score. And the rest, they say, is history. Or maybe you would want to choose 'legendary' instead. Indeed, if, say Carragher becomes a grandfather one day and tell his grandchildren about THAT night, I doubt that tears will shy away from the occasion. It's the stuff of legends really.
And last night, watching another Champions League match between Liverpool and Chelsea, again I marvelled at Rafa's genius. Against Real Betis the previous week; Finnan, Gerrard, Cisse and Didi Hamman weren't in the starting line up. Last night, it was a different story. Rafa shuffled his squad so effortlessly that complaints from the Liverpool fans are unheard of. And what about Traore? (come again..? Traore? who the hell is that?). Even the guy who bought him, Houllier dare not play him as regularly as Rafa did.
Rafael Benitez. He didn't say much. Some say it's because of his rather weak command of the english language. But he didn't say much neverthless. Then again, the numbers scream for him. And numbers won't lie. And when you're manager of Liverpool and have a Manchester United fan singing praise at you like what I'm doing right now, you must be very good. VERY good.
Damn, Fergie! Start thinking your tactics! pronto!
I watched the Champions League match between Rafa's side and Chelsea last night and can't help admiring good ol' Rafa. Unlike Mourinho who did the talking for himself, Rafa let the numbers do the talking for him. OK, for all of you who aren't in the know, let me enlighten you; just 2 seasons ago Mr. Benitez was manager of Valencia. And he won the Spanish league title AND UEFA Cup with them. Then he left. What happened to Valencia? Nothing. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think Valencia didn't win anything the following season. They still have their stars; Aimar, Ayala, Angulo, Baraja, Mista, Canizares. But they fail to win things. Apparently, their best man have left for Liverpool: Rafael Benitez.
What did this guy do for Liverpool you ask me? with him at the helm, Liverpool won the Champions League. In his first season in charge. And in such a spectacular fashion that 'spectacular' is an understatement. If Manchester United's win against Bayern Munich in 1999 is described as the 'mother and father of all comebacks,' then Rafa must have invited both the paternal and maternal grandparents along with the aunts and uncles of comebacks for his side. A.C Milan scored 3 times and I, the sceptic, was heading to bed. I mean, Liverpool were playing against an Italian team. AN ITALIAN TEAM. Not only did the Italians know all the tricks in the book when it comes to defending, chances are, THEY are the ones who wrote the book. And Rafa's side actually allowed the Italians to score three times. Later, my roommate woke me up just before Xabi Alonso was about to take the penalty (yes, I did go to bed) that would level the score. And the rest, they say, is history. Or maybe you would want to choose 'legendary' instead. Indeed, if, say Carragher becomes a grandfather one day and tell his grandchildren about THAT night, I doubt that tears will shy away from the occasion. It's the stuff of legends really.
And last night, watching another Champions League match between Liverpool and Chelsea, again I marvelled at Rafa's genius. Against Real Betis the previous week; Finnan, Gerrard, Cisse and Didi Hamman weren't in the starting line up. Last night, it was a different story. Rafa shuffled his squad so effortlessly that complaints from the Liverpool fans are unheard of. And what about Traore? (come again..? Traore? who the hell is that?). Even the guy who bought him, Houllier dare not play him as regularly as Rafa did.
Rafael Benitez. He didn't say much. Some say it's because of his rather weak command of the english language. But he didn't say much neverthless. Then again, the numbers scream for him. And numbers won't lie. And when you're manager of Liverpool and have a Manchester United fan singing praise at you like what I'm doing right now, you must be very good. VERY good.
Damn, Fergie! Start thinking your tactics! pronto!
posted by Jibam at
12:30 PM
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