Rafa Watch

[JudgeRed]

[Shaggy]

Can the people who want to have a go at Rafa not do it elsewhere? This thread is for people who want to keep an eye on what he's doing at Inter, not to be making digs about his record, making outlandish claims about "using him as a way at getting at Roy" or going over the same old arguments.

[Tee]

Can the people who want to have a go at Rafa not do it elsewhere? This thread is for people who want to keep an eye on what he's doing at Inter, not to be making digs about his record, making outlandish claims about "using him as a way at getting at Roy" or going over the same old arguments.

[Shaggy]

The Liverpool-related stuff starts about half a dozen questions from the end...





"My house is still in Liverpool and part of my heart will be there. Do not rule out returning to Liverpool one day"

I want to be in Inter many years, but given the choice of another place one day, I would return to Liverpool.

I now feel I come from Liverpool, I have found their supporters fantastic, they get right behind their team, never leaving them alone, just like their anthem says and I have found that with me, with my family that have had a special relationship...once that I will never forget. In those bad moments, when some wanted me goine or wanted me but really wanted me gone, the supporters were there, always there.

"Me alegra lo que me dices, yo vengo de Liverpool, donde me he encontrado una afición maravillosa que siempre respalda al equipo, no le deja solo, como dice el himno, y que conmigo y con mi familia ha tenido un trato especial que nunca olvidaré. Al final en los malos momentos, cuando algunos de dentro ya no me querían o me querían pero ya no me querían, los aficionados estaban ahí, siempre ahí.

I will never forget the day 2000 came out to support me, the Porto game, because there were rumours I would be sacked if we lost. I know the people of Liverpool love me, because they know I always fought for Liverpool, always forgetting my own personal issues. I am never going to sell the house we have there"

Dodgy translation:


In view of the Super Cup, are you favorite to be champions of the Champions League?

No, I've played I already know there is no Super favorite because you're talking about a title to a single party and, therefore, depending on how much influence that you get what you've done before. We are two quality teams and competitive so that anyone can win. The role of favorite in this case, only a game, not real for Inter.

Atletico will be harder than it was the Roma in the Italian Supercup?

Will be different, Atletico have players with quality and mobility and is a different, so our part we have to adjust many things.

Atletico got off to Liverpool to the Europa League a few months ago, where was the key?

We had the tie in our favor, but made a mistake and the goal in the attacking half cost us get out, but in the first half of the match at Anfield had occasion to resolve but we did not.

His opponent in this final has been strengthened and kept well behind the dynamite was already up with Kun and Forlan

It's true that they are signing up pretty well, have quality up front and what they have signed, can achieve this balance they were looking for what will be a very difficult opponent.

Despite this, have made a discreet preseason

The preseason is to work, teams are more tired and it is very difficult to see everything you want to do, but little by little when the players are fresh this work will bear fruit.

Quique continuity should help Atletico better, right?

Of course, whoever the coach, who remains in a team is something that allows players to adapt to their mentality and the players to the coach. That always helps improve performance and grow.

What do you think Quique?

He is a good coach, he has demonstrated in several places and last year also did well with Atletico and I hope they continue doing, but in the league, not in this Cup.

You are playing the Italian Supercup against Ranieri, the coach who replaced him on the bench Mestalla, and is measured now in Europe, precisely, the technician who took over from Ranieri at Valencia, what about the bench?

The Valencia is a great site with a view to the training of coaches and if you do it helps. It is an experience that makes you grow because it is a big team, which requires that forces you to give the maximum and that enriches the coaches who pass by. If you're there and learn in Valencia, is the best way forward.

Is this Inter Milan over Liverpool that eliminated Atlético?

Each year is different, if we said that Atletico has changed with several signings, then compare that with the Inter Liverpool is impossible are totally different teams, do not think the parties that this final qualifying round and have nothing to do.

Super addition, this week has the draw for the Champions League and could be paired with Valencia, where he still has not returned since leaving in 2004

I have no problem playing there, just the opposite because I have very fond memories of Valencia and it would be nice to see many friends I have there. But if you respect a team like you see it but in the end because then you make sure that we are both. So if I have to go to Valencia will be happy, but I can see it in the end, the better it will signal that the two have achieved something important.

What have sales like Villa and Silva?

Valencia is now a team with a very particular economic situation and their leaders, along with sports management and coach are those who have to manage and assess things.

But finding those spare outputs

It is obviously difficult to replace these losses, but the players who have signed are good and now the only thing they lack is adapted to give the desired yield.

Since you left Mestalla, Valencia has gone from winning the league not to be nowhere near fight it

The Spanish league has changed a lot because now there are two teams that at the level of points, have been far above the rest clearly. From there, try to be as close as possible and we'll see what happens this year, although a priori are favorites both players and clubs that have much higher budgets to others.

Come on, that in his opinion, the League will be a thing of Real Madrid and Barca.

Viewing the evolution of last year is that I do not know if the other teams are going to be avoided. The first matches will be mark where each, but from the outside gives the impression that the League may be a thing of two.

By the way, talking about Real Madrid. Are you called to supply Pellegrini?

Football face change much and the fans can be important to know what happened in the past, but I always look to the future and the future is at Inter Milan.

Okay, but you called him or his agent to go to Real Madrid?

In football, there is much rumor mill or contacts that may have more or less foundation and the important thing is where are you and where you want to be now, and why, the answer is Inter.

Have you answered?

Of course not.

Another name was Maicon summer. Has been since the offer was insufficient Madrid?

No, it is because it is an important player for us because from the moment we know that helps a lot to the success of the team and the president is sensitive to that situation and decide which one will be left. Maicon is very grateful to Inter, he is very happy here and if another club comes important interest is a motivation or a joy, he expected to decide on the club and the Inter decides who stays here and all parties are delighted.

Am I see you out?

No, because when I built after World chat with Maicon and he is very happy, grateful to Inter and looking forward to playing well here. All is quiet and you can see in every workout he's happy.

Have they improved the contract to continue in Milan?

I do not carry the contracts at the club.

Change of pace. How do you see the fight in the Calcium?

Juventus have signed enough, the Rome somewhat less, Milan also there is still time to sign more. We are talking about very large teams, with tradition and will not be easy to win the league. The fact that it has won five times in a row makes the people you will inevitably see as the favorite, but seeing the level of Juventus, Roma, Milan and ours, will be difficult.

You won the league in Spain without a favorite, the Premier was neither, but here the role changes and itself part with the number one ...

I do not change anything on the basics, only to tackling the parties themselves have to assume the role of favorite, being the champion, always to the extent that you leave the rival. We start all from scratch and can only try to impose this theoretical superiority.

We just talking about his past. How did it feel to see the first match of Liverpool without you?

A bit of nostalgia and grief after many years. There was very good in the city, closely integrated with what the club and its fans and that's always going to be there. Fortunately, the environment I lived in San Siro was spectacular and I hope here also has the same acceptance and respect of Inter fans that I had in Liverpool, which was sensational.

What was the issue that ended this time?
With the current leadership would be difficult to maintain a dialogue in line with what we expected and it was time to go through many circumstances.

You never played in the Liverpool financial strength to fight on equal terms by the Premier, right?

The good thing about England is that the budgets are there, you can see everyone, and balance in recent years has always been positive about the sale and purchase of players.

What is the stage which closed in Liverpool?

It was sensational, I am very proud to have been there, my house is still there and part of my heart will be there. It was a beautiful experience, the Premiership is exciting and also Liverpool's very special for the fans, the stands Kop, respect the environment of football ...

You do not rule out return?

No, of course, want to be at Inter many years, but if you were to choose another site once, it would be Liverpool.

__________________________________________



I also left a few lines of the interview in Marca Enrique Ortego has made in a talk by Luis Suarez and Rafa Benitez, in order to match the European Super Cup, has shown them the love they have for the fans of Liverpool and its city. Luis Suarez In this interview he speaks of the fans of Inter and Rafa speaks of Anfield with these statements:

Rafa: "I'm glad what I say, I come from Liverpool, where I found a wonderful hobby that always supports the team, not left alone, as the hymn, and that me and my family has had special treatment than ever forget. At least on the bad times, when some in and did not want me or loved me but I no longer wanted, the fans were there, always there.

"Never forget the day I left 2000 demonstration, the day of the port, because they said I would take if we lost. I know that Liverpool people like me because I have always fought for Liverpool forgetting personal issues. We will not sell the house we have there."

[Craig_H]

****'s sake, that's tugging at the heart strings, even with the ****e translation

I'd take him back tomorrow.

[little dave hedgehog]

what.

[Imy]

Those of us who are keeping on eye on Rafa's progress might as well do it all in here.

First trophy in the bag, go on Rafa

It just doesn't look right

[Shaggy]

Is the photo I posted in today's article flattering or has he really lost that much weight? I know he said he was trying.

[Craig_H]

He's wearing black

[Shaggy]

Fair point

Looking forward to seeing them play on Friday...but it'll be so strange seeing him on someone else's bench. (I initially typed 'bed' instead of bench just then )

[Craig_H]

Plus it's 'photoshoot' lighting and framing. Possibly even airbrushed

The one with Zanetti is after a match, so unprepared and un-manipulated, probably was stressful and humid.

Who really looks their best after a full shift at work?

Fair point

Looking forward to seeing them play on Friday...but it'll be so strange seeing him on someone else's bench. (I initially typed 'bed' instead of bench just then )

[Tee]

Love Rafa, he is one of us.

[ronanm]

According to Roy reneged on an understanding/agreement he wouldn't disrupt Liverpool players yet is in for Macherano and perhaps Kuyt. I like Benitez, but I wouldn't mind seeing Liverpool giving his new team a good hammering.

[Shaggy]

According to Roy reneged on an understanding/agreement he wouldn't disrupt Liverpool players yet is in for Macherano and perhaps Kuyt. I like Benitez, but I wouldn't mind seeing Liverpool giving his new team a good hammering.

Someone should tell Roy that Rafa has nothing to do with transfers at Inter. Pissed me off that did. Roy of all people should know that, having worked under Moratti himself.

[Reece]

But Benitez has nothing to do with transfers at Inter, does he?

And apparently Hodgson had an agreement not to go back for any Fulham players. Hasn't stopped him admitting an interest in Konchesky though.