RSS
ATOM
advertisement
Benitez: Henry Handball Can Help Liverpool In Champions League
Anfield boss hoping Lyon can restore France’s battered reputation.
Nov 22, 2009 4:44:36 AM
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has admitted he is hopeful Thierry Henry’s controversial handball in France’s World Cup qualifying win over the Republic of Ireland could help his team this week as they battle to stay in the Champions League.
The Reds take on Debrecen on Tuesday knowing if Fiorentina beat an already qualified Lyon, the Merseysiders will be knocked out of the competition.
However, Benitez has challenged Claude Puel’s side to help restore French football’s reputation by fielding a strong side and giving their all against the Italians.
“I don't know if the Henry incident will affect Lyon but it could be good for us. It will be difficult for them but they have quality and players who want to prove something,” he told the News of the World.
"If they want to show everyone in the world they are good professionals and want to win every game, it would be good.
"It could be something that works out positively for Liverpool. Their coach said they would try to win. He is a professional. I know Lyon have a good group of professionals and a good manager."
Yet the Spaniard also admitted his team could not afford to be distracted by results elsewhere and must make sure they win in Hungary first of all.
"We have to do our job. That is the key thing. We can talk about Lyon and Fiorentina but it is something we cannot control. For me, it is all about us winning against Debrecen,” he added.
"You cannot influence the other game. We have to concentrate on our job, win our game and then see what happens in the other match.
"If we talk too much about Fiorentina- Lyon, we may lose focus on our game. It would be bad if Lyon won and we didn't. So we have to do our job."
Gill Clark, Goal.com UK
Want more from Goal.com delivered right to your door? Introducing "Goal.com Magazine." Subscribe now!
The Reds take on Debrecen on Tuesday knowing if Fiorentina beat an already qualified Lyon, the Merseysiders will be knocked out of the competition.
However, Benitez has challenged Claude Puel’s side to help restore French football’s reputation by fielding a strong side and giving their all against the Italians.
“I don't know if the Henry incident will affect Lyon but it could be good for us. It will be difficult for them but they have quality and players who want to prove something,” he told the News of the World.
"If they want to show everyone in the world they are good professionals and want to win every game, it would be good.
"It could be something that works out positively for Liverpool. Their coach said they would try to win. He is a professional. I know Lyon have a good group of professionals and a good manager."
Yet the Spaniard also admitted his team could not afford to be distracted by results elsewhere and must make sure they win in Hungary first of all.
"We have to do our job. That is the key thing. We can talk about Lyon and Fiorentina but it is something we cannot control. For me, it is all about us winning against Debrecen,” he added.
"You cannot influence the other game. We have to concentrate on our job, win our game and then see what happens in the other match.
"If we talk too much about Fiorentina- Lyon, we may lose focus on our game. It would be bad if Lyon won and we didn't. So we have to do our job."
Gill Clark, Goal.com UK
Want more from Goal.com delivered right to your door? Introducing "Goal.com Magazine." Subscribe now!
Thank you for your comment!
Please enter your name
Please enter your location
Please share your comment!
17 Comments
Advertisement
Inside Goal.Com
-
DEMPSEY'S DIARY: Playing in the World Cup was the ultimate dream
In his latest diary entry for Goal.com, the U.S. international and Fulham midfielder talks about playing in his first World Cup despite a back injury and what it meant to score.
-
ROGERS: Capello resigns as coach, but the villain is FA chairman Bernstein
Capello and John Terry are far from blameless in the England saga, but the real culprit is the FA chairman.
-
LABIDOU: Is MLS falling behind? The league's new younger direction
With high-profile players like Nicolas Anelka and Luca Toni rejecting MLS for other developing leagues, is the league falling behind its competition?
-
ROSANO: Mexican soccer needs to address referee treatment
Nick Rosano argues that Mexico's continued officiating problems may have less to do with referees themselves and more to do with how they are treated by the federation.
-
VERTELNEY: MLS owners take to Twitter to spread their team's word
"Any time you tweet, it's a mini press conference," says Portland Timbers owner Merritt Paulson.
Advertisement
Advertisement