Source: Liverpool_Echo
Liverpool FC pre-season special: Champions League 2010 - Bernabeu . . . or bust!
IF everything goes to plan May 22 next year could prove to the greatest day of Rafa Benitez's career. All roads lead to Madrid in the Champions League this season and the Spaniard would dearly love to lift 'Old Big Ears' in his home city.
It will be the fourth occasion the stunning 72,000-capacity Bernabeu has been selected to stage UEFA's showpiece event and for the first time the final will be held on a Saturday.
Benitez grew up in the Spanish capital, was on Real's books as a player and began his coaching career there.
He enjoyed a glorious return to the stadium last February when Yossi Benayoun's late strike secured victory over Real in the first leg of the Reds' last 16 clash.
But his pride at that win would pale into insignificance if he could lead the Reds to their sixth European crown on the ground where he learned his trade.
Benitez may have taken time to adjust to the rigours of the Premier League after his arrival at Anfield in the summer of 2004 but his tactical expertise on the European stage has never been in doubt.
He has masterminded a succession of heroics triumphs at home and abroad to sit alongside some of the greatest moments in the club's history.
Nothing beats the miracle of Istanbul in his debut season but since then he has proved that was no fluke.
Benfica ended Liverpool's interest in the last 16 in 2006 but the following year Benitez led the Reds all the way to the final in Athens where they lost to Milan.
In 2008 Chelsea got their revenge in the semis for their shootout defeat 12 months earlier and last year's European journey provided more special nights which will live long in the memory.
Victory in the Bernabeu sent Liverpool top of UEFA's ranking system for the first time since 1985 and the 4-0 thrashing of Real in the second leg at Anfield sent shockwaves around the continent.
