Champions League - Managers: Benitez rues luck

Eurosport - Wed, 04 Nov 22:13:00 2009

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez bemoaned his side's bad luck as a late equaliser denied them a vital Champions League victory in Lyon.

FOOTBALL Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez gesticulates during the 1-1 Champions League draw at Lyon - 0

Lyon 1-1 Liverpool

Claude Puel: "(Hugo Lloris) is the one who kept us in the game but that is no surprise. He has played a prominent part in our Champions League results."

Rafael Benitez: "To concede a goal in the last minute is really, really unlucky. With all the problems that we have it was a really positive response from the players. Ryan (Babel) is this kind of player, he can change the game. The main thing is the reaction of the players, they were trying to win. Clearly it is difficult for us to qualify but not impossible. We have a chance. The main thing is to play well against Debrecen and then see what the situation is for our last match."

Arsenal 4-1 AZ

Arsene Wenger: "They have a fantastic attitude and great quality and great spirit. I just want to go from strength to strength. I think the team looks more mature, serious when needed and patient."

Ronald Koeman: "I thought our keeper could have done better with their first goal. The second goal just before half-time was a very bad moment for us. But you have to accept they have such a lot of quality and play so fast we weren't good enough to counter-attack."

Unirea Urziceni 1-1 Rangers

Dan Petrescu: "There were plenty of chances and we had most of them. We proved once again that we deserve to play in the Champions League but we want to win against Sevilla to be sure we qualify for the next round."

Walter Smith: "It was a very good performance and we more than made amends for the last game. It was really disappointing to give away a goal so late in the game. Victory would have put us back into at least having an opportunity to qualify."

Fiorentina 5-2 Debrecen

Cesare Prandelli: "Even if it seems paradoxical to say so tonight, I'm now even more convinced that we can do better. In the first half we had the game in our hands but we lost our way and it doesn't take much to encourage your opponents. In the second we did well, we played with the right intensity and good passing and we deserved to win."

Andras Herczeg: "We did the best we could and played the game in the right way but once we had conceded the first goal we couldn't get any control of the game."

Standard 2-0 Olympiacos

Laszlo Boloni: To follow

Zico: To follow

Sevilla 1-1 Stuttgart

Manolo Jimenez: "I am a bit upset because we could have sealed first place in the group tonight. We played a decent first half against a very good team. Only after Duscher was injured were they able to dominate."

Markus Babbel: "Our performance in the first half was the worst I have seen from my team in quite some time. I had to raise my voice during the break because the first half defied belief. I told them that we had to fight to stay in the Champions League and not to be so timid, and that I was the only one who had anything to be scared about."

Rubin Kazan 0-0 Barcelona

Kurban Berdyyev: "We hoped to repeat our performance at Camp Nou and in general we were successful. We also created some chances against the world's best club but unfortunately missed them. It was even harder to play against Barcelona in front of our home crowd."

Pep Guardiola: "I always said that Russian, Slavonic teams are strong. Rubin played very well today. They kept all our players under control, while their counter-attacks were really dangerous. We looked better in the first halftime but later in the match Kazan played creative football and could win as well. The draw is a good result of such a match but now we need to win both of the remaining matches."

Dynamo Kiev 1-2 Internazionale

Valeri Gazzaev: To follow

Jose Mourinho: "I do not think about bad things during the match. There was no time for fear. The most important thing was the character of the team because when you miss so many chances your head can go down. I am sure Inter will qualify, but I don't know if it will be from first or second place. There is an incredible balance in the group between the teams. We've deserved to be the first in the group but everything can change at the end."

Eurosport

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  1. Hajra Debrecen

    From Bibi, on Fri 6 Nov 1:07PM

  2. Bryan. That is a thought. Might be a good thing.

    From c41ng0ku, on Fri 6 Nov 9:05AM

  3. KOP MANIA # 111 - " LUCK HAS PLAYED A HUGE PART SO­ FAR THIS­ SEASON FOR YOU ,JUST LOOK BACK ON RESULTS AND­ TELL ME­ ............. "

    Who cares as long as it­ holds out. Add injuries into the equation and what does­ that tell you?

    From Stevie O Jay, on Fri 6 Nov 5:06AM

  4. Hello y'all. So this is where everybody is hiding.­
    Bryan # 114 - " What i'm wondering is, if­­ Liverpool go on and win the UEFA cup "
    You­ don't don't need to give that too much thought,­ do you Byran? Not really.

    From Stevie O Jay, on Fri 6 Nov 4:54AM

  5. It seem like all the Man useless fans are back after­ hibernating following the 2-0 debacle at Anfield. Well,­ we only have a few days and they will disappear again­ as they get hammered by Chelsea on Sunday. Man Useless­ fans, talk to us when you get 5 champion league titles.­
    All the true fans know it was a good Red performance­ at Lyon except for the last minute goal. The team is­ getting better and is showing signs of that incredible­ form they were on at the end of last season. It will­ take getting most players healthy, confidence in some­ players and a few breaks here and there. Every team­ gets those breaks and it is not crazy to think that­ Lyon would tie Fiorentina. A win at Debrecen and we can­ beat Fiorentina by 3 goals at Anfield.­ Impossible..not…tough!! Yes, but crazier things have­ happened.
    The league is still open despite what the­ Man Useless fans think. Chelsea has a couple tough away­ games (Arsenal & Man city) coming up. They are­ likely to drop points. Reds just need to focus on the­ next game against B’ham on Monday and get maximum­ points.
    As Reds fans we stick with the team and you­ will never walk alone.

    From Gidy, on Fri 6 Nov 3:47AM
  6. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    BREAKING NEWS FROM SKY SPORTS CHIEF­ EXECUTIVE..."WE WERE HIGHLY RELUCTANT TO BROADCAST­ THE FULHAM V LIVERPOOL PREMIER LEAGUE CLASH AS WE­ THOUGHT THAT WATCHING 11 SCOUSE ARSEH%LES GETTING­ HAMMERED SHOULD ONLY BE VIEWABLE ON THE ADULT CHANNEL

    From michaelashcroft, on Fri 6 Nov 1:58AM

  7. I HAVE HAD SWINEHUNDS SENT TO THE CAMPS FOR LESS..

    From THE FUHRER, on Fri 6 Nov 1:31AM

  8. Liverpool out of the CL, no chance in the EPL, FA­ Chance in the FA, Carling Cup???

    You'll always­ Waynk alone

    From H C, on Fri 6 Nov 1:20AM
  9. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Comment 112. Errrr, Juventus 3-2 1999
    ­ Inter Milan 2-0 1999
    Juventus­ 3-0 2002
    Barcelona 1-0 2008
    ­ Chelsea 2008 Final
    ­ Inter Milan 2-0 2009
    plus countless others but I­ won't brag about victories over teams such as­ Alaves,Olympiakos or Besiktas because they are just­ really ordinary sides. Mind you, there's not much­ more for you to shout about is there? Apart from 3 wins­ against United that got you absolutely no silverware­ whatsoever because it still went to OT. Face it mate,­ your seasons over before Autumn is!!!! Quality!

    From rbstax67, on Fri 6 Nov 12:45AM

  10. Comment 97. Richie, you don't sound deperate-­ honest!!!! LOL!!!

    From rbstax67, on Fri 6 Nov 12:33AM
  11. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Well U-Boat commander Torrez tried all his best trips,­ whoops, I mean tricks, but this ref had his eyes in.­ Looks like the poo will be diving head long arms out­ stretched into the Europa league. Take your 3 points­ from UTD and stuff em in that antique trophy cabinet­ you've got, coz nothing else is going in there.

    From mudyshoe, on Fri 6 Nov 12:32AM

  12. I finally understand why liverpool is now calling as­ loserpool. You see, their fans are trying to play with­ the numerical games, like d.papas. Every person on the­ planet agrees that premiumship is the highest honest­ for English football team and so why saying 18-7, it is­ 18-18. If we count on the superior one, it is 11-0, it­ is the FACT that everyone on this planet agreed with,­ except the silly loserpool's fan.

    A pool of loser­ will not have a successful team. Why are you always­ making excus to your lose? You can grow and get success­ if you never commit to the fact.

    Now, Loserpool will­ not reach the Last 16 of the Championship League and­ will lose Millions of pounds of income and will get­ even more poorer than now. Loserpool is becoming­ Loserpoor. Ha!!!!!

    What a fool will be willing to­ spend millions of pounds to buy your team - a loser?

    From Nelson, on Fri 6 Nov 12:06AM

  13. Liverpool have been installed as the new favourites to­ win the Europa League (UEFA Cup). Most supporters of­ the so called Big 3 are now laughing at Liverpool's­ likely failure to qualify for the knockout stages of­ the Champions League. What i'm wondering is, if­ Liverpool go on and win the UEFA cup, would that be­ better than reaching the latter stages of the Champs­ League and falling out at the quarter, semi or final­ stages as will probably happen to the other 3 English­ clubs anyway? Please discuss!!

    From Bryan, on Fri 6 Nov 12:04AM

  14. I finally understand why liverpool is now calling as­ loserpool. You see, their fans are trying to play with­ the numerical games, like d.papas. Every person on the­ planet agrees that premiumship is the highest honest­ for English football team and so why saying 18-7, it is­ 18-18. If we count on the superior one, it is 11-0, it­ is the FACT that everyone on this planet agreed with,­ except the silly loserpool's fan.

    A pool of loser­ will not have a successful team. Why are you always­ making excus to your lose? You can grow and get success­ if you never commit to the fact.

    Now, Loserpool will­ not reach the Last 16 of the Championship League and­ will lose Millions of pounds of income and will get­ even more poorer than now. Loserpool is becoming­ Loserpoor. Ha!!!!!

    What a fool will be willing to­ spend millions of pounds to buy your team - a loser?

    From Nelson, on Fri 6 Nov 12:01AM

  15. HOW MANY GREAT GAMES DID LIVERPOOL IN UCL OR­ UEFA??EX:UEFA FINAL AGAINSTS DEP.ALAVES
    *AGAINST­ OLYMPIACOS(2004)
    *ISTANBUL(2005!!!)
    *BESIKTAS(8-0)
    *AGA­ INST ARSENAL (4-2)
    *AGAINST REAL MADRID(5-0­ agg)
    *AGAINST CHEALSEA(4-4)

    HOW MANY GREAT GAMES DID­ MANCHESTER IN UCL OR UEFA??JUST ONE (1999 UCL­ FINAL)THAT'S IT ????

    From neagigi91, on Thu 5 Nov 11:41PM

  16. MAN UTD FANS COME ON HERE AND SAY HOW BAD OUR TEAM IS­ ,MY POINT IS WHAT DOES THAT MAKE YOUR TEAM , YOU UTD­ FANS ARE SO INTERESTED IN LIVERPOOL AT THE MOMENT YOU­ CAN'T EVEN SEE WHAT 'S GOING ON AT OT , DO YOU­ HONESTLY THINK YOUR AS GOOD AS LAST YEAR WITHOUT­ RONALDO , LUCK HAS PLAYED A HUGE PART SO FAR THIS­ SEASON FOR YOU ,JUST LOOK BACK ON RESULTS AND TELL ME­ .............

    From KOP MANIA, on Thu 5 Nov 11:40PM

  17. IN HELL WITH YOU LISANDRO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    From neagigi91, on Thu 5 Nov 11:29PM

  18. kop mania...u may be happy with liverpool beating­ united every season but surely the lack of silverware­ at anfield come the end of the season must be cheesing­ you off?...not a criticism..just an observation.

    From m.fowler771, on Thu 5 Nov 11:27PM

  19. Liverpool end of season review 09/10 available from­ Monday

    From rabid421, on Thu 5 Nov 11:22PM

  20. MY RESPONSE WAS FOR STUART HOW BAD OF A TEAM WE ARE ,­ WHAT DOES THAT SAY ABOUT UTD THEN ????

    From KOP MANIA, on Thu 5 Nov 11:21PM
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