Build up - Inter Milan 2nd Leg

[MindGuerrillas]

BBC are still saying that he's in the squad.

Nothing about Alonso on the offy either. All they mention is that Masch is OK and Finnan is out.

[Yozza]

Benitez's tactics

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7285051.stm

Benitez's tactics

Jan Molby
Former Liverpool midfielder

Liverpool's ability to progress in the Champions League has baffled some observers who watch in frustration as they once again fail to mount a serious championship challenge domestically.

They had struggled in the Premier League and gone out of the FA Cup to Barnsley before playing the Serie A leaders Inter Milan at Anfield - and yet I was confident they would get the right result and they did with a 2-0 win.

European football is clearly Rafael Benitez's great strength. He has proved it by winning the Uefa Cup with Valencia, the Champions League in his first season with Liverpool and then taking them to last season's final.

Benitez's brilliance on this stage is finding weaknesses in the opposition and exploiting them. He will sometimes have to sit for days and days to uncover them, but he can detect these weaknesses and set his team up to take advantage.

European football is more tactical than the Premier League, and occasionally it is not even a case of playing well yourself, but simply stopping the opposition doing what they do best.

In England, players will make decisions for themselves; in Europe, there is a tendency to stick rigidly to Plan A and not deviate from it come what may.

Inter are a better side than the Juventus side Liverpool knocked out in 2005, but I don't think they have enough power and tempo all over the pitch to put Liverpool out.

In fact, with Fernando Torres foraging up front against an Inter side weakened by defensive absentees, I can almost see Liverpool being more likely to score.

There is talk Inter may make some changes, with Luis Figo coming back, but he is not in his pomp any more. He is a clever player but he is not going to trouble Liverpool with pace and strength.

The only way Inter could trouble Liverpool would be with a moment of magic from someone like Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but Liverpool have shackled him before, even though he is a super player.

Liverpool will obviously rely on their big players like Torres, Steven Gerrard and Javier Mascherano - but the central defenders will be the most important players in my opinion.

They must remain calm and composed throughout. They must not give off any panic because if Inter sense Liverpool are a bit nervous they will go after them.

Liverpool must show composure, but they have done it before at places like Juventus and Barcelona in the past so I see no reason why they can't do it again.


Lee Dixon
Patrick Vieira's former team-mate

After Liverpool beat Inter Milan 2-0 at Anfield in the first leg of their Champions League tie, I sent my old Arsenal team-mate Patrick Vieira a couple of cheeky texts, winding him up about the defeat.

His response was quite surprising as he said could not believe his side had lost and, apparently, that was the general feeling of everyone at Inter.

Yet most who saw the game felt that Liverpool were worthy winners.

Italian teams are very difficult to work out. I think they have a mindset that means they never admit to playing badly - and they don't always recognise when they do.

Inter's defeat will be a complete shock to them as they have been playing with so much confidence - they have lost only once in Serie A and have a nine-point lead at the top of the table.

Liverpool need to be wary as 2-0 can be a funny scoreline.

They have to decide whether to sit back and protect their lead or make a fast start and try to nick the goal that would finish the tie off.

The danger is, if they were to concede an early goal they would face such intense pressure from Inter after that they would become penned into their defensive third, which is just where Inter want them.

So the crucial decision manager Rafael Benitez has to make is whether to send his side out to get a goal in the first 10-15 minutes, or instruct them to sit back?

That is why the little devil in me wants to see Liverpool play a pressing game when they do not have the ball, and when they do get it I hope they have two wingers on the pitch to whip in crosses for Fernando Torres.

And I really believe Liverpool should do everything in their power to pinch a goal early on and kill the contest.

[bogsdollocks]

BBC are still saying that he's in the squad.

Nothing about Alonso on the offy either. All they mention is that Masch is OK and Finnan is out.

Radio City 96.7 said he hasn't flown out with the squad but MAY meet up later. Didn't give any explanation as to why.

[Joe King]

This is the sort of game this system is built for. The two holding will have to remain focused and make sure that they don't allow any room behind them for Ibrahimovic and Cruz to do any sort of damage.

The main providers are obviously their wingers: Stankovic and Figo. They will provide the width and the full backs: Maicon and Zanetti will also try and attack at any sort of opportunity. Hence it is important that we keep full width of the pitch and try and narrow the wingers and make them come inwards and try and congest their play.

Its a bit of a cliche, but the first goal is vitally important in this game. They score first and if its an early goal, they will be extremely of getting a second however if we score first, and it doesn't necessarily have to be an early goal, we just need to make sure that we keep it tight and try and hit them at the counter. It is therefore important that the passing is crisp, the movement is spot on and we test their goalkeeper at all given opportunities.

I wouldn't be surprised if Rafa decides to play Pennant on the right instead of Babel. I know Babel didn't play on Saturday but I feel, if we are winning with 20 minutes to go, Babel might be thrown on up top to try and stretch their backline and give them something to think about. If Crouch were to play, they would push their backline because of his lack of pace and cause more pressure.

[cumbriankop]

if alonso is out then especially given the good form he's been in of late we'll need mascherano all the more breakin up their attacks.
don't know if lucas is the same destroyer ahead of the back four, which is a job mascher does amazingly

[wiw]

Benitez's tactics

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7285051.stm

Benitez's tactics

Jan Molby
Former Liverpool midfielder

Liverpool's ability to progress in the Champions League has baffled some observers who watch in frustration as they once again fail to mount a serious championship challenge domestically.

They had struggled in the Premier League and gone out of the FA Cup to Barnsley before playing the Serie A leaders Inter Milan at Anfield - and yet I was confident they would get the right result and they did with a 2-0 win.

European football is clearly Rafael Benitez's great strength. He has proved it by winning the Uefa Cup with Valencia, the Champions League in his first season with Liverpool and then taking them to last season's final.

Benitez's brilliance on this stage is finding weaknesses in the opposition and exploiting them. He will sometimes have to sit for days and days to uncover them, but he can detect these weaknesses and set his team up to take advantage.

European football is more tactical than the Premier League, and occasionally it is not even a case of playing well yourself, but simply stopping the opposition doing what they do best.

In England, players will make decisions for themselves; in Europe, there is a tendency to stick rigidly to Plan A and not deviate from it come what may.

Inter are a better side than the Juventus side Liverpool knocked out in 2005, but I don't think they have enough power and tempo all over the pitch to put Liverpool out.

In fact, with Fernando Torres foraging up front against an Inter side weakened by defensive absentees, I can almost see Liverpool being more likely to score.

There is talk Inter may make some changes, with Luis Figo coming back, but he is not in his pomp any more. He is a clever player but he is not going to trouble Liverpool with pace and strength.

The only way Inter could trouble Liverpool would be with a moment of magic from someone like Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but Liverpool have shackled him before, even though he is a super player.

Liverpool will obviously rely on their big players like Torres, Steven Gerrard and Javier Mascherano - but the central defenders will be the most important players in my opinion.

They must remain calm and composed throughout. They must not give off any panic because if Inter sense Liverpool are a bit nervous they will go after them.

Liverpool must show composure, but they have done it before at places like Juventus and Barcelona in the past so I see no reason why they can't do it again.


Lee Dixon
Patrick Vieira's former team-mate

After Liverpool beat Inter Milan 2-0 at Anfield in the first leg of their Champions League tie, I sent my old Arsenal team-mate Patrick Vieira a couple of cheeky texts, winding him up about the defeat.

His response was quite surprising as he said could not believe his side had lost and, apparently, that was the general feeling of everyone at Inter.

Yet most who saw the game felt that Liverpool were worthy winners.

Italian teams are very difficult to work out. I think they have a mindset that means they never admit to playing badly - and they don't always recognise when they do.

Inter's defeat will be a complete shock to them as they have been playing with so much confidence - they have lost only once in Serie A and have a nine-point lead at the top of the table.

Liverpool need to be wary as 2-0 can be a funny scoreline.

They have to decide whether to sit back and protect their lead or make a fast start and try to nick the goal that would finish the tie off.

The danger is, if they were to concede an early goal they would face such intense pressure from Inter after that they would become penned into their defensive third, which is just where Inter want them.

So the crucial decision manager Rafael Benitez has to make is whether to send his side out to get a goal in the first 10-15 minutes, or instruct them to sit back?

That is why the little devil in me wants to see Liverpool play a pressing game when they do not have the ball, and when they do get it I hope they have two wingers on the pitch to whip in crosses for Fernando Torres.

And I really believe Liverpool should do everything in their power to pinch a goal early on and kill the contest.

I love Rafa....Press and hurry them, suck 'em in and hit the ****ers on the break I have full confidence in Rafa/our front 4, especially as its in Europe/against an Italian team

[Yozza]

I love Rafa....Press and hurry them, suck 'em in and hit the ****ers on the break I have full confidence in Rafa/our front 4, especially as its in Europe/against an Italian team

I'm hugely confident we'll go through...

Rafa is The Man

[-V-]

We will score. That will be enough

[flyboy]

we will be fine if we can hold them off for first 20-25 min.just not to let an early goal ...thats what we should be looking at ....scoring would be a huge bonus of course

[Shaggy]

Breaking news on SSN, via Rafa's press conference in Italy which is taking place now.

Xabi will not play - injured.

[matycowling1007]

alonso out breakin news on ssn

[stevie_gerrard_8]

Breaking news on SSN, via Rafa's press conference in Italy which is taking place now.

Xabi will not play - injured.

Huge blow. This day is getting worse and worse

[Lee]

Breaking news on SSN, via Rafa's press conference in Italy which is taking place now.

Xabi will not play - injured.

Noooooooo!!

FFS, just as he's finding his form & fitness

[MindGuerrillas]

feck. did it say what's wrong with him?

[flyboy]

he is not injured...apparently his girlfriend is gonna have a baby.FFS its only the girlfriend