Source: Liverpool_Echo
Rafa Benitez: Long journey has helped Liverpool FC team bonding
Rafa Benitez[LNB]RAFA BENITEZ today expressed confidence that his players will be primed to make the best of a bad situation by ensuring their arduous journey ends on a high.[LNB]Liverpool spent last night in Paris after completing the first phase of their 1,200-mile trip to Madrid by train but had an early start in order to catch a flight to Spain from Bordeaux.[LNB]It is a far from ideal way to prepare for the first leg of a Europa League semi-final but, as has occasionally been the case this season, Benitez feels adversity can bring the best out of his squad.[LNB]While it is inevitable they will feel the effects of fatigue when arriving in the Spanish capital this afternoon, Benitez believes the opportunity to take a step towards the final in Hamburg will be enough of an incentive to revive tired limbs and minds against Atletico.[LNB]'You have to try to find the positives when you are in this kind of situation and it is vital that everyone stays together when you have a problem,' said Benitez, stressing the importance of team bonding.[LNB]'Of course this isn't ideal and we would have preferred to have flown but, you never know, maybe something like this can work in your favour.[LNB]'The players are all happy, staying really positive, even though they might be a little tired and that for a manager is positive to see.
