Mourinho, Benitez keep final hopes alive

Both Jose Mourinho and Rafael Benitez believe their chances of reaching the UEFA Champions League final are very strong.

كتب : Mohamed Sabe

الخميس، 26 أبريل 2007 - 13:13
لقطة من لقاء الذهاب بين الفريقين
Both Jose Mourinho and Rafael Benitez believe their chances of reaching the UEFA Champions League final are very strong.

Chelsea beat Liverpool 1-0, courtesy of first-half Joe Cole strike, in the first-leg at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, and Mourinho, rightfully, believes his side has the upper hand.

"I'm very happy with the players. It's a positive result. It's a victory so that when the game starts in Anfield, Chelsea will be ahead 1-0," Mourinho told a post-game press conference.

Yet, the Portuguese tactician rued his teams numerous missed chances.

"In the first half we did more than enough to score two, three four goals," Mourinho added. "Chelsea deserves the victory, no doubt about it.," he said.

But Mourinho did acknowledge that the second-leg at Anfield will not be an easy one.

"They play at home and they are a strong side at home," said Mourinho.

"For sure Benitez and his people will think it's a result that will give them the chance to be in the final but me and my people think it's also a result for us to be there."

Benitez could not have agreed more with his Chelsea opposite number, admitting his mixed feelings.

"We play in Anfield with our supporters behind us but at the same time they are a very good in counter-attack and we must be aware of this," said the Spaniard.

"I think you need to score just one goal and see what happens. If we score two, as in the league, we will be there.

"We will have the support of our people. They know they are really important for us and I hope we will feel the atmosphere behind us."