Source: Daily_Mail
Rafa Benitez: Attitude of my Liverpool players is first class
If Rafa Benitez is to be believed, Atletico Madrid's mood mirrors the theme that has dominated the build-up to tonight's Europa League semi-final here at the Vicente Calderon Stadium.[LNB] Liverpool have made use of trains, coaches and a plane over the last 24 hours, and now Atletico have come up with another way of covering the miles, according to Benitez. They are running scared.[LNB] Question time: Rafa Benitez holds an impromptu press conference in the buffet car[LNB] Given the toll taken on his players, particularly the dawn alarm call yesterday morning to ensure they caught the 7.10am train from Paris to Bordeaux, the Liverpool manager could have been forgiven for viewing the task of taming not only Atletico but a fanatical home support with some caution. Instead, he claimed an emphatic win over Benfica in the last round will have sent a shudder through the Atletico ranks and insisted Liverpool were perfectly primed to book their place in next month's final.[LNB] His bold assessment came at a press conference that said everything about a bizarre build-up to one of their biggest games of the season. Significantly, it also shed light on the positive manner in which Benitez and his players have responded to being inconvenienced and how they intend turning it to their advantage against a side shorn of suspended Chelsea target Sergio Aguero.[LNB]VIDEO: Benitez buoyant... [LNB]AND FINALLY THEY PITCH UP IN MADRID5.30am: Phone call from reception rouses the weary travellers for a coach transfer from the Hotel California to the Paris main railway station for the 7.10 to Bordeaux. The train is packed and nearly 20 minutes late setting off for Bordeaux.[LNB] 9.15am: Rafa Benitez holds an impromptu press conference in the buffet car and swaps jokes with the assembled media, as well as giving his thoughts on the game.[LNB] 11.35am: Arrive in Bordeaux on schedule after making up the time and file off for another coach transfer, to the airport for a 75-minute charter flight to Madrid.[LNB] 1.30pm: Steven Gerrard and the squad arrive in Madrid at last, 24 hours almost to the minute after leaving Merseyside.[LNB] 7.0pm: Javier Mascherano looks exhausted at the Liverpool press conference.[LNB] 7.30pm: The squad go training to loosen tired limbs. [LNB]The early-morning express was hurtling through the French countryside and Benitez was holding court in the buffet car. A packed one, at that, as growing numbers paid for their coffee and croissant and paused to try to take in one of Europe's most high-profile coaches sharing his thoughts in their midst.[LNB] Leaning on a bar next to the serving hatch, he soon made it clear his spirits had not been dampened by such an exhausting travel schedule and even laughed along at a joke that could have touched a raw nerve, given the chants constantly aimed at him by opposing fans.[LNB] 'You could almost pass for a Spanish waiter, standing there like that,' ventured one of the journalists, to which a grinning Benitez replied: 'You think so? You mean I need to lose a little weight?'[LNB] While acknowledging an early Atletico goal could turn their ground into the Vicente Cauldron Stadium, such is the excitable nature of their fans, Benitez was adamant the togetherness that has been forged by his side over the past two days would stand them in good stead and instil a fear factor in the Spaniards for the return leg.[LNB] Monitoring his players' demeanour on their various modes of transport, he was heartened by the absence of cliques and encouraged by signs that a potentially draining trek across Europe had seemingly taken little out of them.[LNB] 'The trip has been surprisingly good, because you can see how everyone is sticking together,' he said. 'Sometimes you can take positives from something like this and, for us, it is the way the players have had a better team experience.[LNB] 'Normally, we would be on a plane for maybe two hours, with everyone watching the film or using their PlayStation or something like that. But this has been different. They have been together for a long time and have talked more and done other stuff as a group.[LNB] 'It has been difficult for everyone, because we are all tired. But you could see the players in the railway station, all talking to each other in different groups, then changing round to speak to others, rather than just sticking in their normal ones.[LNB] Weary: but Mascherano says Liverpool are up for their Europa League clash [LNB] 'Hopefully, all this will not affect the performance in terms of physical condition, but I am sure of one thing. When it comes to the spirit of the team, it has been really positive. We are still managing the situation and it was important to have a night's rest in Paris rather than try and do the journey in one go.[LNB] 'There will be plenty more rest periods in Madrid before the game, but we will train as well, because they need to regenerate themselves with some running and physical exercise.[LNB] [LNB]'I know there were concerns before we set off, but I have seen how the players have coped with all the travelling and I can tell they are in good shape. I know Barcelona lost 3-1 against Inter in Milan after travelling by land, but that was not the reason. They had plenty of possession but made two or three mistakes and Inter were dangerous on the counter-attack.[LNB] [LNB] 'I'm not sure you can say we are favourites, because Atletico have experience in Europe and there is not much between the sides. But the really positive thing for us is that what we did to Benfica at Anfield has not only given us confidence but maybe left Atletico a little worried about what lies ahead in the second leg. That can work in our favour.'[LNB] Benitez identified a familiar threat in the Atletico side but described how he intends delivering a rousing battle cry shortly before kick-off.[LNB] 'I will stress to the players how they mustn't let all their endeavour go to waste,' he said. 'They have done so much to get this far, in terms of previous games and all the travelling this week, and it is important that is put to good effect. I've a feeling it won't be difficult to motivate them.[LNB] 'Atletico normally have a lot of pace and ability. They will miss Aguero, but (Diego) Forlan has shown he is a real threat. He struggled a bit at Manchester United, but English football is difficult, especially for a foreign player having to adapt to a new language and style of play. It is clear that he has good movement and can finish with both feet.'[LNB] Liverpool have an impressive record against Spanish opponents, having won both UEFA Cup semi-finals against Barcelona in 1975-76 and 2000-01, when they went on to win the trophy. Atletico have not won in seven games against English sides since a 1-0 victory over Aston Villa in the 1997-98 UEFA Cup. [LNB] My Eurostars! Marathon rail trip boosted team spirit, says Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez Liverpool finally make it to Madrid for their Europa League semi-finalEXCLUSIVE: Merseyside row looming as Liverpool eye move for PienaarAtletico Madrid v LIVERPOOL: Ryan Babel back from ban to boost Reds attack[LNB] [LNB]
