[EU] Champions League 06/07 (38 Viewers)

Ahmedios

Senior Member
Nov 11, 2006
5,107
Gerrard: Now we can beat anyone


Steven Gerrard says Liverpool can win the Champions League again after beating Barcelona.

Gerrard lifted the famous trophy in Istanbul in May 2005 after that never-to-be-forgotten comeback against AC Milan.

And he believes the Reds can conquer Europe again after eliminating the holders on Tuesday night.

Rafa Benitez's side went through on away goals despite a 1-0 second-leg defeat by the Catalans at Anfield.

And Gerrard says he doesn't fear anyone as the Reds await Friday's quarter-final draw.

He told The Daily Mirror: "It was an awesome performance to put the holders out and over two legs we definitely deserved it - we are ready for anyone now.

"We should have beaten them, but when we conceded the goal at the end we showed more spirit, more grit, more determination than them. We were throwing bodies in the way, putting bodies on the line, and we have laid down a marker."

Gerrard hailed Rafael Benitez as "one of the best managers in the world".

And striker Craig Bellamy, who was in hot water for his antics at a training camp ahead of the first leg against Barcelona, believes it was the team spirit many critics felt he had shattered that carried Liverpool into the last eight.

Gerrard said: "We all have total respect and confidence in Rafa Benitez. He has shown he is one of the best managers in the world, and he shows it with the tactics he used in Europe.

"We always trust him to get it right, and he did it again this time.

"It was all about hard work, in both legs. The effort put in by everyone has been rewarded. We were unlucky not to go in ahead at half-time in the second leg.

"But Barcelona are so good going forward, they play such nice football, but we stuck in there and are in the last eight now.

"We have got great spirit, grit and determination - people were throwing bodies about - and that's one of the reasons we're through.

"This now gives us great confidence, going through against the best side in Europe over two legs."

Prior to the first clash with Barca a fortnight ago, it was Bellamy's alleged brandishing of a golf club in a row with colleague John Arne Riise that threatened to splinter the team bonding Benitez had so carefully planned.

But Bellamy has salvaged his Liverpool career with a match-winning display in the Nou Camp, and a hard-running, selfless performance at Anfield.

Now Bellamy says: "Over two legs usually the best team goes through and we were the best team. Did we prove people wrong? It wasn't an issue, not many of the critics get it right anyway.

"But that is the beauty of the game. You never know what is going to happen.

"In a great competition like this against a great side like this we still had a chance. In the first half we hit the bar twice and really took the game to them.

"The second half was very difficult. They really stepped up a level and we were hanging on a bit."

He added: "It was an amazing occasion and the biggest night of my life. It was incredible when you consider the tempo and everything about the match. I have never experienced a game at this level.

"It is all about team spirit. When you come to a club like Liverpool, with what they have won like the European Cup the season before and then the FA Cup, it is all about spirit.

"There is always a great team spirit anyway. But when you arrive and mix with these players, you know it is a family club.

"You come in and you are all together. Against a team like Barcelona everyone has to contribute and that is what has happened.

"Now I will watch the other games tonight and see who goes through, see who we get on Friday in the quarter-final draw. But it is going to be a tough game, that's for sure."

Bellamy admitted the tension almost got to him as he watched from the bench after being substituted.

He said: "Hopefully we can carry on the momentum as we have just beaten the European champions. I was a little bit worried on the bench late on, and didn't know whether to go inside and watch it on the telly.

"But I can't remember them having a proper chance after the goal. There were not that many nervous moments, but Barcelona can cut you open.

"We had to concentrate all the way through but credit to our defence as well. That was my first start in the Champions League at Anfield so it was really special."
 

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Albertmare

Idea Maker
Mar 24, 2006
13,954
Inter should be banned for 3 years, plain and simple, enough is enough. How many times will they bring the game innto disrepute in cl? They did it against Arsenal, Milan and now this. Whats it with Argentine players that they cannot lose gallantly? In the world cup they did the same thing against Germany and now Burdiso and Cambiasso were just disgraceful in their behaviour
Barcelona went out because of some pretty weird tactical decisions by Rikjard. First leg was just a calamity in terms of decision making, to leave out etoo entirely, then play with the formation he did was just nuts. Its been clear for anyone with eyes that Marquez and Edmilson are both substandard as defenders and just incompetent as holding midfielders. Is there a rule that says Ronaldinho cannot be subbed as in big games nowadays he hardly shows up? I am not even sure what Rijkard was doing in the second leg, no left back, Iniesta , the most in form Barceloan player, playing deep, Etoo on the wing and Ronaldinho thru the centre, it was just total football which was ultimately no football as nothing was happening at all.
Well done to Roma though for going thru a difficult tie , though Lyon have been ordinary this year, losing games they ordinarily wouldn't in their domestic league


they also did it againts valencia 2 seasons ago , it was adriano who headbutt navarro on the face . CMIIW
 

The Arif

Senior Member
Jan 31, 2004
12,564
UEFA charge Inter trio
Wednesday 7 March, 2007


Nicolas Burdisso, Ivan Cordoba and Douglas Maicon are all facing heavy punishments after being charged by UEFA in the aftermath of the Valencia-Inter brawl.

The three Interisti are facing gross unsporting conduct charges, along with Valencia’s Carlos Marchena and David Navarro, for the violent scenes which marred last night’s last 16 tie.

Both Valencia and Inter have also been slapped with improper conduct charges for the Mestalla mayhem.

UEFA’s disciplinary board will look into the events at a specially arranged hearing on Wednesday 14 March.


Football Italia
 

Bozi

The Bozman
Administrator
Oct 18, 2005
22,749
LMFAO at inter but i did say that roma could beat lyon, some of lyons attacking flair has gone with houllier in charge. he has made tehm more regimented at teh back and less likely to lose silly goals but their chance fo CL glory seems to be dimming with every passing year. great pity as tehy played some fabulous football under le guen.

as for inter i only have one thing to say

HA HA
 

Ascension

Senior Member
Sep 16, 2005
1,882
@Bozi I still think Lyon play well offencevely. I watched the Lyon - Roma match and even though they did not score they played with the speed of light passing the ball around on Roma's side of the pitch. They have great unique players like Juninho, Malouda and Govou.

Even though I was cheering for Roma I feel sorry for Lyon.
 

Bozi

The Bozman
Administrator
Oct 18, 2005
22,749
aye tehy sure do have great players but the time for tehm to win teh CL has passed i am afraid, plus houllier has restricted the freedom they had before. they are still great going forward but are not anywhere near the free-flowing team of le guen
 

Bisco

Senior Member
Nov 21, 2005
14,420
LMFAO at inter but i did say that roma could beat lyon, some of lyons attacking flair has gone with houllier in charge. he has made tehm more regimented at teh back and less likely to lose silly goals but their chance fo CL glory seems to be dimming with every passing year. great pity as tehy played some fabulous football under le guen.

as for inter i only have one thing to say

HA HA
yup bozman i wish i had listened to what u had said regarding lyon i just didnt expect they would collapse that way i really dont have complete access to lyon games but when i manage to get around to watch them there playing style impresses me.


as for inter, no words can realyl describe how i felt last night i actually felt as if juventus has advanced to the next stage.

@rab, u r damn right i wish it was zlatans nose god its just sooooooo bloody annoying!!!!!!!!

as for tonights i honestly hope ac milan carries on the campagin i want two italian sides in this one. as for manure i guess they already have a foot in the second stage. real madrid vs bayern thats going to be a really tough one for crapello.

i wont go into barca as i am pretty sure jeeks, and juventus710 toke care of all the barca lovers.
 

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