Dodgy Google Translation, but it is decipherable.
EDIT: A Human translation has been posted later in this topic
here.
Rafa Benitez: "You can only teach those who want to learn"The technician "never" ficharía by Manchester United because it is 'red'
Francesc Aguilar - 21/10/2009 03:00Rafa Benitez (Madrid, 16 April 1960) gives an overview in this second chapter of his experience at Anfield in charge of a landmark as the Liverpool club that gave him his fifth European Cup 21 years later. How convinced his players an idea of soccer evolved to keep the British label, their referents and their methods, the open ...
You already a legend in English football and world final in Istanbul after winning with Liverpool.What is certain is that this will be the final most unique, most exciting in the history of the Champions League, is unique for all that happened there. It is not easy to raise one other end as did the Liverpool team that was losing 3-0.
What did the rest?It was a very difficult conversation, because my command of English was not like now. Poderles convinced that the party can win is not easy. I remember we were losing 2-0 and started taking notes, what could I say ... and the Italians scored the 3-0 just before halftime. Go hit! Furthermore, the talk was not finished when I was about the 'physio' and me that Finnan, who was trying, can not play the second half. And Traoré, who had said he changed because he was not playing, I should tell it exits. Imagine. With what a defense of three, with a changed side, with Hamman to close spaces Kaka, with everything that happened at halftime, we had to improvise. But with the support of our fans, that was wonderful, we reversed the final and made history.
What was the secret of what they said?I tried to tell them what I thought. I was convinced then, with the people behind, how they heard from the locker room, that if had a goal, got in the game. We scored early and it worked.
Why do you pin the blame that he is a defensive coach?When I arrived at Liverpool, the team was essentially defensive and said some. What happened is that the team had orders. People sometimes do not understand that if you have balance between the lines then defended better. That way, your defensive numbers are better, less concede, because the team It maintains order also allows better attack. The problem here is that as one is accustomed to having teams sorted, seemed more defensive. And when your whole defense is going to attack you are not very offensive, what you are is messy.
How did convince their new players of his ideas?Before joining Liverpool, I had to go to Portugal to talk to Gerrard because there was much interest from big teams get their services. I met with Owen, Gerrard and Carragher himself, who were concentrated in England. I explained my ideas, I talked about football with them, than I intended. Thereafter, important players, charismatic staff were already open to these ideas and then it was already easier.
Is English football?
It has nothing to do with the rest, which is played on the continent, you have to go take your ideas, your tactics. And that only you can do with the type of player contracts. Hence came Sissoko, Reina or Crouch, who gave us more options in the passing game. You'll adapt to the template you have. Last year we won in possession, play different but equally we scored many goals.
You have the merit of improving many players. See Fernando Torres, Luis Garcia, Xabi Alonso, Albert Riera ...
There are always coaches that will draw more performance to some players than others. But that is because there are players who want to improve, who are hungry to test their limits, and then it is much easier. If the player is willing to work and improve, is ideal. You can only teach the players who want to learn.
Has not been a gamble to sign so many Spanish players? I say this because if it go wrong, so they could say ...You're going to sign players who know. If you do not there is room for error, do not get the play, those cards you know well and that was the case of the Spanish that I have signed for Liverpool. I wanted a type of player that is easy to be incorporated successfully.
"He hesitated a lot to go abroad?I was good at Valencia, but the offer from Liverpool, the five-year project, the facilities offered to me, was quite tempting. Going abroad is always difficult because the language barrier always imposes a lot and then learn about the customs, the idiosyncrasies of British football. To all this must be added that before Spanish or Italian technicians did not leave because their leagues were the strongest. When the Premier has become strong, it attracts more. The fact that Arsène Wenger was important open road, then followed Houllier and Ranieri, Mourinho, Ancelotti, Martin Jol ... It is an interesting contribution that benefits the English football for all that brings.
You were criticized at the time by the issue of rotation of players, that was a precursor system in Spain.
Yes, I remember one game we lost against Valencia against Racing. I changed Aimar and threw me on the face, but that day we did not win by two faults clamorous defense, I think de Marchena, not by the rotations are very necessary to get your whole team, with sufficient force, the party end of the competitions. Now I do most of the world because they have understood the need to bet on it.
Video also drew many years ago.Yes, and then there was no progress today, you had to get by with friends and acquaintances for images of your rival players. Today'm glad the computer and audiovisual item that allows you to better explain to your players what you want and understand.
Do you have scored in their work a computer, a technician?I always liked as a child noticing everything that could serve later. When I played it was a little coaching. With 13 years had records of all equipment and valued the work of all my colleagues. Then I was player-coach. It seems a matter of genetics that would end up in the dock. Whenever I looked at the great teams I saw play, from Madrid to Ajax, Barca or through others. Although there was one that attracted me most, no doubt: the Milan of Arrigo Sacchi. It was a sight to see them play and how they worked from first to last, whoever he was. I saw them work a few days in Milan. Then move everything through the sieve itself, but undoubtedly Sacchi has influenced my work.
Are you concerned or not Prince Faisal buy Liverpool?We have to isolate, concentrate on football, on a day to day. What happens is that then when you go to offices, like it or not, you should try to know how things are going, how things are. And like it or not, a sale, a change of ownership, is always very important for the whole club.
And the Americans, the current owners?The problem is that you have a situation and we must try to not accept you negatively, but just the opposite. Sometimes you succeed and sometimes not. We must deal with what is, but relations between Gillett and I are correct.
Liverpool is one of the big losers with the 'FIFA virus'.I do not talk about it. The schedule is very poorly prepared. There are systems of competition as the South American league of all against all that is crazy. There are too many games with teams of little consequence. And then the friendly amount. Holland went to Australia, Scotland to Japan. The clubs we always suffer. There were three of mine who arrived Friday in South America and had to go play directly to Sunderland on Saturday.
Do you miss the Spanish football?I am very happy at Liverpool and my family is integrated. It goes through our heads that the cycle will end soon, but in football you know they send the results.
Would she leave Manchester United to replace Mr. Ferguson?For nothing, I train to Liverpool, I 'red', I'm from Liverpool. Never happen in my head this chance to join United. Never
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