Source: Telegraph
Real Madrid v Liverpool: Could Bernabeu date double as Rafa Benitez's job interview?
Champions League last 16; Bernabeu, Madrid; Feb 25, 7.45pm, ITV1. [LNB]Touchline duel: Juande Ramos v Rafael Benitez [LNB]If rumours are to be believed, both men are auditioning for the post in Madrid in the long term. Ramos, after his failure at Spurs, has reinvigorated Real, leading them to nine wins from 10 and making them play like a team, not 11 individuals. Benitez, his contract still not sorted, needs a good Champions League run to strengthen his negotiating position. [LNB]Key clash: Lassana Diarra v Javier Mascherano [LNB]While the duels between Fernando Gago and Steven Gerrard, Fabio Cannavaro and Fernando Torres and Raul and Jamie Carragher will be pivotal, it is who controls the midfield which is of the greatest significance. Diarra offers more going forward but if Mascherano can hassle and harry the former Portsmouth player, Real will struggle to impose themselves. [LNB]Talking tactics: The hosts will want to use the full expanse of the Bernabeu pitch, Liverpool as little as possible. Assuming Gerrard plays, he will look to break straight at the fragile heart of Real's defence, but the risk of playing too openly will be that Heinze and, more dangerously, Sergio Ramos's runs overload Liverpool's shaky fullbacks. [LNB]– [LNB]Who's saying what: [LNB]Rafa Benitez: "I am only concerned by Real's 11 players on the pitch, nothing else concerns me. This is a big game, but not just because I used to play and work here. I am a professional, so I want to win." [LNB]Juande Ramos: "I think it's more an atmosphere of optimism than euphoria. We are calm and happy at how things are developing in the league because it gives us security and confidence going into games. It'll be an intense 180 minutes between two teams that know what is at stake. Maybe some fans are more happy and euphoric than others but the dressing room isn't like that and I'm happy with the state of the team and the way the players are approaching the game. [LNB]Raul: "We're a lot better than when the draw came out, while Liverpool have lost a little. It'll be an intense 180 minutes between two teams that know what is at stake. I think the little details could make the difference." [LNB]–[LNB]Team details: Real Madrid: (probable) Casillas, Ramos, Pepe, Cannavaro, Heinze, Diarra, Gago, Robben, Raul, Sneijder, Higuan. Liverpool: (probable) Reina, Arbeloa, Skrtel, Carragher, Aurelio, Mascherano, Alonso, Kuyt, Gerrard, Riera, Torres. [LNB]–[LNB]Statistics:[LNB]Real have failed to score in three of their last five home games against English clubs, losing 1-0 to the last visitors Arsenal at the same stage of the competition three years ago, their only home defeat to a team from England. Real striker Raul, who holds the Champions League scoring record with 64 goals, is now within two goals of Gerd Mueller's record of 66 in the three main European club competitions – the European Cup/Champions League, Cup Winners Cup and Fairs Cup/UEFA Cup. Since beating Real in the 1981 European Cup final, Liverpool have played 28 matches against Spanish teams and won only six. But their recent away record in Spain is excellent. They have lost only one of six CL away games and won three of the last four. Liverpool captain Gerrard has scored 11 goals in his last 15 CL matches. Previous meeting EC: FL 27.05.81 Liverpool 1 Real Madrid 0 (in Paris) [LNB]Top scorers: Real – Raul/Ruud van Nistelrooy 3, Liverpool – Steven Gerrard 5 [LNB]
