OTHER SPORT

BENITEZ BAITS MONEY MEN

Rafael Benitez has taunted Jose Mourinho

Monday April 30,2007

By David Hytner and Mark Fleming

Comment Speech Bubble Have your say(0)

RAFA BENITEZ has cranked up the pressure on rival Jose Mourinho by declaring Chelsea cannot now afford to lose tomorrow’s Champions League semi-final showdown.

The Liverpool boss watched Chelsea’s Premiership title hopes go into meltdown on Saturday, then spelled out the imperative for them not to fall short in Europe’s biggest club competition in light of Roman Abramovich’s massive investment.

Chelsea lead 1-0 from last Wednesday’s first leg but will face a white-hot Anfield reception in the return.

Benitez said: “I don’t want to analyse what Chelsea say or do. All I know is that they have spent millions and millions and they need to win trophies.

“If you spend this amount of money, it is to win trophies.

“That means if they cannot win the league now, they will be under real pressure.

“The league could be difficult for them and perhaps also the Champions League.

“The positive thing for me is that we played badly but only conceded one at Stamford Bridge.

“If we improve a little bit maybe we will be there.

“It’s clear Chelsea will be under pressure. Even looking from a distance, we know they’ll be under pressure.”

Benitez has seized on the Blues’ Premiership stumble to fire the latest shots in his battle of wits with Mourinho.

Chelsea could only draw 2-2 with Bolton at home and slipped five points behind leaders Manchester United, who were 4-2 winners at Everton.

Mourinho had taunted Benitez before their first game about Liverpool’s inability to compete in this season’s domestic competitions. He said Liverpool had to be favourites because they had played just “three or four” competitive matches in 2007.

He also insulted Liverpool by suggesting they were a great team only “in knock-out competitions” and claimed they would try to get striker Didier Drogba booked and suspended for the second leg.

Benitez said Mourinho had made a “big mistake talking about the history of our club”.

He added: “When you play against Chelsea, who have spent more money than anyone else in the world in the last five years, we must be calm and say, ‘Okay, if we can beat them, perfect, but if not, we will have tried our best’.

“They are favourites. It is very clear we are the underdogs. If you analyse the last five years and the value of each player, then we must be the underdogs.

“It is not a surprise for me to hear him [Mourinho] talking. I prefer to analyse and do the right things if it’s possible.” Mourinho, however, has already switched his angle of attack and ridiculed Liverpool’s Premiership credentials,
saying they should be devastated they lost the title in January.

“Of course my players are devastated [to fall five points behind United],” he said. “But Liverpool should be also devastated because they are third and so many points behind.

“They lost the title in January. So maybe that makes the game an even bigger game. It’s the chance for both clubs to win or at least play a big final.

“It is very very important to be strong mentally and to understand the big game we are playing on Tuesday. That’s the best way to forget it.”

Joe Cole’s goal was the difference between the sides at Stamford Bridge, but Chelsea look like being without Michael Ballack and Ricardo Carvalho for the return at Anfield.